HENRY    M/.    RUGG 


D  .  O 


BX  9931  .M36  v. 8 

Rugg,  Henry  Warren,  1833 

1910. 

The  church 


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iM annals;  of  JFaitl)  anU  Dutp, 

EDITED    BY    REV.  J.   S.   CANTWELL,   D.D. 


A  SERIES  of  short  books  in  exposition  of  prominent  teachings 
of  the  Umiversalist  Church,  and  the  moral  and  leligious 
obligations  of  believers.  They  are  prepared  by  writers  selected  for 
their  ability  to  present  in  brief  compass  an  instructive  and  helpful 
Manual  on  the  subject  undertaken.  The  volumes  will  be  affirmative 
and  constructive  in  statement,  avoiding  controversy,  while  specifically 
unfolding  doctrines. 

The  Manuals  of  Faith  and  Duty  are  issued  at  intervals  of 
three  or  four  months.     Uniform  in  size,  style,  and  price. 

I.     THE   FATHERHOOD   OF   GOD. 

By  Rev.  J.  Coleman  Adams,   D.D.,   Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

II.     JESUS   THE   CHRIST. 

By  Rev.  S.  Crane,  D.D.,  Norwalk^  O. 

III.     REVELATION. 

By  Rev.  I.  M.  Atwood,  D.D.,  President  of  the  Theological 
School,  Canton,  N.  Y. 

IV.     CHRIST  IN   THE  LIFE. 

By  Rev.  Warren  S.  Woodbridge,  Medford,  Mass. 

V.     SALVATION. 

By  Rev.  Orello  Cone,  D.D.,  President  of  Buchtel  College, 
Akron,  O. 

VI.     THE   BIRTH   FROM   ABOVE. 

By  Rev.  Charles  Follen  Lee,  Charlestown,  Mass. 

VII.  {In  Preparation. ) 

VIII.  THE    CHURCH. 

By  Rev.  Henry  W.  Rugg,  D.D.,  Providence,  R.  L 


PUBLISHED    BY   THE 

UNIVERSALIST    PUBLISHING    HOUSE, 

:BOSTOisr,    iva:^A.ss. 

Western  Branch;  69  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago. 


JHanuals  of  dfaitlj  anti  IButs<r;;r7:FFTr^ 

Ko.  VIII.  ('-- 

!       OCT  13  1920 


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''^  .^^> 


%05!CALSr"!i 


THE    CHURCH. 


BY 

REV.  HENRY  W.   RUGG,  D.D, 


I  SPEAK   IN  REGARD  OF   CHRIST  AND  OF  THE   CHaRCH. 

Ephesians  V.  32. 


BOSTON: 

UNIVERSALIST  PUBLISHING  HOUSE. 

1891. 


Copyright,  1891, 
By  the  Universalist  Publishing  House. 


©nibersitg  ^resjs: 
John  Wilson  and  Son,  Cambridge. 


CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTORY. 
Chapter  Page 

I.     Antecedents  of  the  Church     ....  6 

II.     Meaning      and      Uses      of     the     term 

"Church" 10 

III.  The   Church   in  the   Apostolic   Period  17 

IV.  Place   and    Functions   of   the    Church  24 
V.     Ordinances  of  the  Church 31 

VI.     Prerequisites  for  Membership  ....  41 
VII.     Objections    against    the    Church    and 

Ordinances 49 

VIII.     Privileges  of  Church  Membership   .     .  59 

IX.     Obligations  of  Church  Members  ...  67 

X.     What  is  Your  Duty? .  74 

XI.     Personal  Influence  and  Service  ...  81 


"  Smc  iirag  for  ^fjg  p?oIg  Gri}urcfj  universal,  tljat  it 
tnag  be  so  gutncO  anti  flobfrnctj  bg  ^!}g  gooH  spirit, 
tJjat  all  hj^fl  profess  antJ  rail  tjjcmsclijes  Cfjristtans 
mag  br  XtH  into  tije  Juag  of  trutlj,  atiti  JjolD  the  faitlj  bx 
tinttg  of  spirit,  m  tlje  bonti  of  peace  anH  in  rifl^teous^ 
ness  of  life/* 


THE    CHURCH. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

nnHE  writer  believes  in  the  Divine  appointment 
-*-  of  the  Church  and  its  present  efficiency  of 
spiritual  help  and  blessing.  It  is  through  the 
Church,  as  an  instrumentality  thus  ordained, 
that  the  light  and  truth  of  Christianity  are  to  be 
disseminated  and  the  kingdom  of  Christ  our 
Lord  extended  on  the  earth.  The  Church  is  a 
factor  in  the  most  important  interests  of  society, 
and  is  vitally  related  to  the  world's  progress.  No 
other  institution  can  take  its  place  or  do  its 
work.  It  is  the  Body  of  Christ,  of  right  de- 
manding the  allegiance  and  support  of  all  who 
believe  in  him  as  the  Son  of  God  and  seek^  to 
be  spiritually  united  to  him,  the  Head  of  the 
Church. 

Out  of  love  for  the  Church  and  a  belief  in  both 
its  sacredness  and  utility  the  following  pages 


6  THE  CHURCH. 

have  been  written.  This  work  is  not  a  treatise 
on  ecclesiology  ;  it  is  only  what  its  name  sug- 
gests, a  Manual  that  points  in  the  way  of  Chris- 
tian duty.  The  author  trusts  that  it  may  stir 
some  hearts  with  deeper  love  to  Christ  and  move 
them  to  take  their  places  in  the  one  organization 
that  best  represents  his  truth  and  kingdom  ;  and 
that  it  may  have  an  influence  upon  others  al- 
ready in  the  Church  to  undertake  a  more  devoted 
service  in  His  Name,  for  the  regeneration  of 
human  hearts  and  society.  Then  will  the 
Church  and  kingdom  of  Christ  be  advanced  and 
glorified. 

I.  —  Antecedents  of  the  Christian  Church. 

The  essential  idea  of  the  Church  is  in  man 
himself.  He  has  a  religious  nature  which  is 
suggestive  of  such  an  institution,  and  he  has 
associative  tendencies  of  being  that  point  in  the 
same  direction.  A  strong  instinct  prompts  him 
to  jeach  out  after  God,  to  build  altars,  to  offer 
sacrifices,  to  engage  in  various  forms  of  devotion 
not  by  or  for  himself  alone,  but  in  co-operation 
with  others  and  for  the  common  benefit.  We 
should  expect  therefore  an  organization  adapted 


ANTECEDENTS  OF   THE   CHRISTIAN  CHURCH.      7 

to  the  expression  of  man's  religious  and  social 
nature.  The  Church  of  God  presents  itself  as 
such  an  organization,  and  it  may  be  said  to  have 
existed,  constructively  at  least,  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  human  world,  —  from  the  time  that 
man  became  awakened  to  moral  consciousness 
and  was  moved  to  engage  in  the  practices  of 
religion.  In  that  earliest  period  the  truth  of 
God  took  an  organic  form,  while  fitting  agencies 
were  provided  to  enable  men  to  cultivate  the 
higher  faculties  of  their  being,  and  worship  and 
work  together.  By  such  religious  fellowship 
and  service  they  were  helped  to  attain  a  ful- 
ness of  life  which  they  could  not  have  reached 
had  they  dwelt  apart  from  each  other  in  the 
maintenance  of  an  intense  individualism,  or  had 
religion  been  presented  to  man  only  as  an  ab- 
straction. 

Primarily  then,  we  say,  the  Church  was  insti- 
tuted to  meet  the  needs  of  universal  humanity. 
It  was  the  natural  outcome  of  the  religious  ele- 
ment in  man,  having  behind  it  the  social  insjtinct 
and  an  appreciation  of  the  need  of  co-operation 
in  rendering  offerings  and  services  to  the  Great 
Creator.  Or,  to  state  the  fact  somewhat  differ- 
ently but  none  the  less  accurately,  God  provided 


8  THE   CHURCH. 

for  the  religious  wants  of  His  cliilclrcn  by  estab- 
lishing an  institution  whose  place  was  clearly 
disclosed  in  the  scheme  of  the  Divine  economy 
and  grace.  Thus  came  the  Patriarchal  Church, 
identified  at  first  with  the  family,  and  at  a  later 
period  made  an  integral  part  of  the  national  life 
of  the  Jewish  people.  The  Church  resting  on  a 
distinctive  basis  of  religion  found  place  in  the 
household  of  Noah  and  in  the  Hebrew  Common- 
wealth and  kingdom.  It  existed  in  the  early 
times  associated  with  the  family  and  the  state, 
and  if  these  last  named  institutions  are  to  be 
regarded  as  divinely  provided  for  human  needs, 
so  ought  the  Church  likewise  to  be  considered, 
no  doubts  being  entertained  as  to  its  usefulness 
or  its  permanency. 

In  the  order  of  natural  progress  the  Church 
Patriarchal  developed  into  the  Hebraic  Church, 
which,  as  already  intimated,  impressed  itself 
powerfully  upon  the  national  life  of  God's  an- 
cient people.  So  it  was,  "  The  State  gave  form 
and  strength  to  the  Church,  and  the  Church  in 
turn  penetrated,  ruled,  sanctified  the  State."  ^ 
When  spiritual  declension  came  upon  the  Jew- 
ish people  the  Nation  went  down,  but  the  Church 

1  Ecclesiology,  E.  D.  Morris,  D.D.,  p.  28. 


ANTECEDENTS  OF  THE   CHRISTIAN   CHURCH.    9 

survived.  Indeed  the  Church  always  moved 
along  an  advancing  way  to  the  time  when  Jesus 
the  Christ  came  upon  earth.  Says  the  author 
just  quoted  :  "  It  was  not  in  the  Divine  plan  that 
the  Church  should  die  out  with  the  Nation  ;  rather 
was  it  planned  that  the  Nation  as  a  containing 
vessel  should  be  broken  into  fragments,  in  order 
that  the  Church  might  strike  out  its  roots  into 
surrounding  soil  and  grow  into  its  predestined 
universality.  .  .  .  The  theocratic  era  prepared 
the  way  for  the  royal,  and  this  in  turn  prepared 
the  way  for  the  period  during  which  the  outer 
shell  of  faith  fell  off,  and  the  essential  principle 
of  faith  germinated  into  form  and  beauty,  by 
way  of  preparation  for  the  advent  of  a  Saviour 
and  a  religion  wherein  the  Patriarchal  and  the 
Hebraic  Churches  were  to  find  their  final  and 
perfect  realization."  ^ 

It  is  well  to  note  these  antecedents  of  the 
Christian  Church,  —  the  preparation  made  for 
its  establishment.  In  such  a  review,  however 
hasty,  we  can  hardly  fail  to  see  a  divine  leading 
toward  the  better  organization  that  was  to  come. 
The  ancient  institution  was  shadowy  and  imper- 
fect, sadly  lacking  in  the  elements  of  an  exalted 
1  Ecclesiology,  p.  29. 


10  THE   CHURCH. 

spirituality ;  yet  it  represented  much  of  the  truth 
of  God  and  the  power  of  God  attested  by  the 
faith  and  piety  of  human  souls  heartily  allegiant 
to  Jehovah.  It  was  modified  and  expanded  dur- 
ing the  centuries,  always  maintaining,  however, 
the  vital  principles  entering  into  its  constitution, 
and  so  was  carried  over  to  the  new  dispensation 
where  it  was  merged  in  the  broader  and  more 
spiritual  organism  representing  Christ  and  His 
truth.  According  to  a  suggestive  figure  em- 
ployed by  Saint  Paul  the  Christian  Church  was 
grafted  upon  the  Jewish  tree.^  Thus  were  devout 
anticipations  realized,  prophetic  announcements 
fulfilled,  as  the  perfected  Church  under  the 
Gospel  appeared  to  represent  the  Kingdom  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  make  that  Kingdom 
more  effective  among  men. 

II.  —  Meaning  and  Uses  of  the  term  ^'  Church." 

The  word  "  Church,"  as  employed  in  common 
speech,  is  variously  applied.  Its  etymologi- 
cal meaning  does  not  govern  all  its  uses.  Con- 
fusion sometimes  arises  from  the  different  senses 
in   which   we   employ  this   term  of  such   large 

1  Romans  xi.  17-24. 


MEANING  OF  THE  TERM  CHURCH.     11 

significance.  Thus  Church  and  denomination 
are  often  treated  as  synonyms,  while  in  a  more 
restricted  line  of  application  a  parish  is  re- 
garded as  the  equivalent  of  a  church.  A  house 
or  place  of  worship  is  called  a  church,  and  a 
congregation  of  people  assembled  therein  for 
worship  is  designated  by  the  same  terin.  Ap- 
plied, as  it  is  more  properly,  to  believers  in 
and  followers  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  word  may 
still  have  a  very  broad  or  a  very  narrow  scope 
of  meaning.  Under  the  common  classification, 
there  is  an  "  invisible  Church  **  and  a  "  visible 
Church ; "  and  the  last  named  body  is  divided 
into  the  ''Church  Militant"  and  the  "Church 
Triumphant, "  —  the  members  of  the  former  be- 
ing Christ's  acknowledged  followers  on  the 
earth,  while  the  latter  phrase  points  to  a  com- 
munion of  saints  in  Heaven. 

It  is  important  to  keep  in  mind  these  differ- 
ent uses  of  the  word,  thus  avoiding  confusion 
so  far  as  possible.  It  is  equally  important, 
where  references  are  made  to  the  Church  in 
its  purely  spiritual  aspects,  that  there  should 
be  a  clear  understanding  of  the  fact  that  the 
term  is  there  applied  to  a  formless  and  un- 
organized force.     It  represents   in   such  a  use 


12  THE  CHURCH. 

an  intangible  relation  of  souls  to  each  other, 
and  of  Christ  with  them.  It  may  be  allowable 
to  speak  of  a  church  thus  spiritualized  and  with 
no  outward  sign  of  membership  or  bond  of 
union.  If  so,  the  Church  under  that  largest 
and  most  comprehensive  definition  includes  all 
Christians.  Thus  remarks  Baxter :  "  If  thou 
hast  faith  and  love  and  the  Spirit,  thou  art  a 
Christian ;  and  if  a  Christian,  a  member  of 
Christ's  Church  Universal."  This  affirmation 
is  supposed  to  be  in  consonance  with  the  words 
of  our  Saviour  :  "  For  whosoever  shall  do  the 
will  of  My  Father  who  is  in  Heaven,  the  same 
is  My  brother,  and  sister,  and  mother."  ^ 

Oftener  than  otherwise,  however,  and  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  most  significant  use  of  the 
term,  we  speak  of  the  Church  as  an  organiza- 
tion. It  is  an  institution  having  well-defined 
features  that  fix  attention.  As  Neander  says, 
"  It  is  the  kingdom  and  royal  dwelling-place 
of  Christ  on  the  earth."  It  was  divinely  ap- 
pointed to  represent  Christ  and  His  truth 
among  men.  By  its  agency  the  Christ  law  and 
the  Christ  power  are  made  effective  in  w^ays 
and   to   an   extent   not   possible  if  Christianity 

1  Matt.  xii.  50. 


MEANING  OF  THE  TERM  CHURCH.    13 

found  expression  only  as  individual  thought, 
belief,  and  experience.  The  Church  consti- 
tutes an  agency  for  associated  efforts  in  behalf 
of  Christian  truth  and  righteousness.  It  in- 
cludes a  membership  professedly  allegiant  to 
Christ,  united  by  a  common  faith,  and  pledged 
to  work  together  in  His  name.  It  is  in  this 
sense  the  Christian  Church  presents  itself  with 
sanctions  that  are  most  solemn  and  claims 
that  are  most  urgent. 

It  cannot  be  said  that  all  this  of  lofty  import 
and  purpose  is  signified  by  the  New  Testament 
term  translated  Church.  The  Greek  word 
ekklesia  means  literally  an  "  assembly "  or 
"  congregation,"  —  a  number  of  persons  called 
and  associated  together  for  Christian  worship 
and  service.  The  word  is  seldom  used  in  the 
Gospels,  though  it  appears  frequently  in  other 
parts  of  the  New  Testament,  being  applied  with 
more  or  less  breadth  of  specification  to  Chris- 
tian believers  and  worshippers.  One  of  the 
most  notable  uses  of  the  word  is  the  declara- 
tion made  by  our  Lord,  "  Upon  this  rock  I  will 
build  My  Church,  and  the  gates  of  Hades  shall 
not  prevail  against  it."  ^ 

1  Matt.  xvi.  18. 


14  THE   CHURCH. 

Whether  or  not  the  reference  in  this  affirma- 
tion is  to  Peter,  whose  name  signified  a  stone 
or  rock,  or  to  the  confession  that  the  Apostle 
had  just  made  acknowledging  the  Divine  Au- 
thority of  Christ,  there  is  no  warrant  in  the 
statement  for  that  supremacy  which  has  been 
claimed  for  Peter  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  was  justly  prominent 
in  placing  its  foundations  and  directing  its 
earliest  course  ;  but  the  other  Apostles  shared 
with  him  such  power  and  responsibility.  Thus 
it  is  said  the  Church  is  "  built  upon  the  foun- 
dation of  the  Apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus 
Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone."  ^ 
Peter  himself  acknowledged  this  true  founda- 
tion, for  he  says  of  Christ  the  Lord :  He  is 
*'  a  living  stone,  rejected  indeed  of  men,  but 
with  God  elect,"  ^  being  the  fulfilment  of  the 
ancient  prophecy  quoted  by  the  Apostle  in  the 
same  connection,  "  Behold,  I  lay  in  Zion  a  chief 
corner  stone."  ^  The  permanency  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  no  less  than  its  true  character, 
is  indicated  by  all  these  statements.  It  is 
established  on  one  enduring  foundation. 

Wliatever  different  meanings  may  be  given 
1  Epli.  ii.  20.  2  1  Peter  ii.  4.         »  Isa.  xxviii.  16. 


MEANING   OF  THE  TERM  CPIURCH.  15 

to  the  word  in  the  uses  to  whicli  it  is  put  by 
the  New  Testament  writers,  there  can  be  no 
question  of  the  fact  that  the  Church  was  un- 
derstood to  include  the  acknowledged  disciples 
of  Christ,  and  to  represent  the  organic  life  of 
Christianity.  "  The  Church  in  its  original 
sense,"  says  Dr.  Howard  Crosby,  "as  denoted 
by  the  Greek  word  eJcklesia,  is  the  congregation 
of  believers  in  orderly  form."  ^  It  was  an  or- 
ganization. It  had  standards  of  belief,  together 
with  laws  and  methods  of  associated  activity. 
Thus  it  presented  itself  as  the  sign,  growth,  the 
expression  of  Christian  truth  designed  to  have 
prevailing  power  among  men. 

In  the  New  Testament  usage  there  are  three 
distinct  meanings  attached  to  the  word  '*  Church." 
It  designates  individual  companies  of  believers 
assembled  in  one  place  for  worship  and  com- 
munion, the  place  being  often  a  private  resi- 
dence. Thus  Saint  Paul  sends  his  greeting 
to  "  brethren  that  are  in  Laodicea,  and  to 
Nymphas,  and  the  Church  that  is  in  his 
liouse ;  "  2  also  to  Archippus.  "  and  to  the 
Church   in   thy  house."  ^     Evidently  the  Chris- 

1  Horn.  Review,  May,  1890.  2  Col.  iv.  15. 

3  Philemon,  i.  2. 


16  THE   CHURCH. 

tians  in  a  private  family,  with  probably  a  few 
of  their  friends  and  neighbors,  constituted  a 
church  in  one  of  the  meanings  belonging  to 
the  word.  The  term  is  also  frequently  applied 
to  united  bodies  of  Christian  believers  in  a 
certain  jurisdiction  or  country.  So  it  is  that  the 
Churches  of  Galatia  or  of  Asia  are  specified.^ 
These  groups  of  believers  could  hardly  have 
been  united  by  any  close  bond  of  ecclesiastical 
rule  ;  there  was  no  "  National  Church  "  in  the 
Apostolic  period.  In  the  nature  of  things  there 
could  not  have  been.  The  plural  form  of  the 
word  is  generally  employed  in  the  Epistles, 
where  reference  is  made  to  the  Christians  of 
any  given  country  ;  and  hence  we  read  of  the 
Churches  of  Asia,  the  Churches  of  Galatia,  etc. 

There  is,  however,  another  and  more  impor- 
tant usage  of  the  word  by  the  writers  of  the 
New  Testament,  who  frequently  apply  the  term 
to  the  whole  body  of  disciples.  The  "  visible 
Catholic  Church "  evidently  was  often  in  the 
thought  of  the  Apostles,  and  therefore  they  laid 
special  emphasis  upon  a  communion  of  Chris- 
tians far  transcending  the  local  organization. 
They   set   the   whole    Church   above   particular 

1  1  Cor.  xvi.  1-19. 


CHURCH  IN  THE  APOSTOLIC   PERIOD.        17 

Churches,  and  called  attention  to  it  as  repre- 
senting the  body  of  Christ,  as  including  all 
who  acknowledged  Christ  and  were  united  to 
help  advance  his  kingdom.  Numerous  uses  of 
the  word  in  this  highest  meaning  might  be 
cited.  "  The  Lord  added  to  the  Church  daily 
those  who  were  being  saved."  ^  "  As  Christ 
also  loved  the  Church."  2  ''  The  Church  of  the 
living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth."  ^ 
In  this  highest  sense  the  Church  is  significantly 
named  the  body  of  Christ,  and  is  represented 
as  our  Lord's  visible  kingdom  established  on 
the  earth.  It  is  the  organic  life  of  Christianity, 
—  a  blessed,  permanent  force  in  the  world's 
enlightenment  and  salvation. 

III.  —  The   Church  in  the  Apostolic  Period. 

The  founder  of  Christianity  is  likewise  the 
founder  of  the  Church  that  bears  his  name. 
In  the  Gospel  economy,  under  the  conditions  of 
the  new  dispensation,  the  place  for  the  Church 
was  made  clearly  apparent  and  its  establish- 
ment indicated.     As  already  observed,  there  was 

1  Acts  ii.  47.  2  _Eph.  y.  25. 

3  1  Timothy,  iii.  15. 

2 


18  THE   CHURCH. 

brought  over  from  the  old  dispensation  a  rich 
material  of  religious  accumulation  which  had 
much  to  do  with  the  shaping  of  institutional 
Christianity.  And  so  there  were  laws  and  prac- 
tices, rites  and  ceremonies,  belonging  to  the 
Patriarchal  and  Hebraic  Churches,  which  were 
carried  over  into  the  more  spiritual  organization 
of  which  Christ  is  declared  to  be  the  Head.  In 
a  very  real  and  important  sense,  our  Lord  may 
be  said  to  have  instituted  the  Christian  Church, 
but  it  did  not  take  form  and  become  a  working 
body  until  after  His  resurrection  and  ascension. 
Prospectively  it  was  indeed  established  by  the 
teaching  of  principles  and  truths  which  underlie 
Christianity,  as  something  also  of  its  ceremonial 
was  indicated  by  the  endorsement  which  our 
Saviour  gave  to  the  rite  of  baptism,  and  by  His 
institution  of  the  Holy  Supper.  In  its  defined 
proportions,  however,  as  an  organization  of  spe- 
cific aims  and  purposes,  representing  the  re- 
demptive work  of  the  Saviour  on  earth,  calling 
believers  to  its  communion  for  the  observance  of 
sacred  rites  and  the  practice  of  religious  duties, 
the  Church  of  Christ  cannot  be  said  to  have 
existed  at  so  early  a  period. 

The  historical  date   of  the  establishment  of 


CHURCH  IN  THE  APOSTOLIC   PERIOD.        19 

the  Christian  Church  is  that  day  of  Pentecost 
when  the  Apostles  "  were  all  filled  with  the 
Holy  Spirit "  ^  and  entered  actively  upon  their 
great  work  of  evangelization.  It  was  the  Holy 
Spirit  that  fitted  the  Apostles  to  be  embassadors 
and  witnesses  of  Christ  in  all  parts  of  the  world ; 
and  it  was  the  Holy  Spirit  which  instructed  them 
in  the  exercise  of  the  ecclesiastical  authority 
vested  in  them.  They  realized  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost  the  full  force  of  their  commission : 
"  Go  ye,  therefore,  and  make  disciples  of  all  the 
nations,  baptizing  them  into  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  ^ 
They  acted  accordingly.  They  made  actual  and 
visible  the  Christian  Church  which  had  before 
been  prospective,  albeit  its  principles  and  spirit- 
ual character  had  been  clearly  outlined. 

It  is  both  interesting  and  instructive  to  study 
the  Church  —the  Churches  — of  Apostolic  times. 
The  primitive  Church  was  under  the  control  and 
guidance  of  the  Apostles,  whose  authority  was 
derived  directly  from  Christ  Himself.  In  this 
respect  their  relation  to  the  Church  which  took 
form  in  their  hands  was  unlike  the  relation  held 
by  any  of  their  successors  ;  hence  it  becomes  all 

1  Acts  ii.  4.  2  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 


20  THE   CHURCH. 

the  more  important  to  note  what  the  Apostles 
commanded,  practised,  allowed,  in  the  moulding 
and  direction  of  the  institution  thus  established. 
So  likewise  we  may  well  turn  our  attention  to 
the  Christian  Church  as  it  existed  in  that  first 
period,  that  we  may  see  how  simple  and  yet  how 
efficient  for  the  purposes  intended  were  its  essen- 
tial features.  It  succeeded  to  and  in  some  sense 
was  a  development  of  the  Jewish  Church.  There 
was  a  wonderful  change,  however,  between  the 
old  and  the  new  institutions,  for  the  Church  in 
Apostolic  times  had  no  such  elaborateness  of 
ritual  or  number  of  rules  and  dogmas  as  had 
characterized  the  expression  of  religion  under 
the  Jewish  dispensation.  The  creed  of  the  early 
Church  was  exceeding  brief,  and  the  ecclesias- 
tical polity  was  simplicity  itself.  Rules  of  pro- 
cedure were  somewhat  elastic  and  variable,  and 
but  few  tests  were  enjoined  or  ceremonial  ob- 
servances imposed. 

The  primitive  Church,  however,  was  an  insti- 
tution having  metes  and  bounds  and  prescribed 
laws  and  usages,  and  a  well-defined  order  of 
government.  The  Apostles  were  rulers  and  di- 
rectors of  the  whole  Church  regarded  as  a  unit. 
Their   superintendence    was   personal,  or  exer- 


CHURCH  IN  THE   APOSTOLIC  PERIOD.        21 

cised  through  duly  appointed  agents.  Saint  Paul 
claimed  to  have  "the  care  of  all  the  Churches ;"i 
Peter  and  John  visited  Samaria,  where  Philip 
had  preached  successfully  and  baptized  many, 
and  exercised  there  an  authority  which  the  sub- 
ordinate Christian  teacher  did  not  claim  to  pos- 
sess or  attempt  to  wield. ^  Evidently  there  was 
an  Apostolic  superintendence  of  the  whole 
Church,  and  this  authority  was  delegated  spe- 
cifically on  certain  occasions.  Thus  Saint  Paul 
writes  to  Titus  :  ''  I  left  thee  in  Crete  that  thou 
shouldst  set  in  order  the  things  that  were  want- 
ing, and  appoint  Elders  in  every  city  as  I  gave 
thee  charge."  ^ 

If  we  turn  from  this  general  government  of 
the  Church  at  large,  vested  in  the  hands  of  the 
Apostles,  to  the  particular  rule  of  local  Churches, 
we  shall  find  an  orderly  management  and  syste- 
matic course  of  procedure,  albeit  there  were 
great  differences  in  the  administration  of  the 
Churches  that  sprung  up  rapidly  as  a  result  of 
the  missionary  labors  of  the  Apostles.  Those 
Churches  were  composed  of  men  and  women 
who  believed  in  Christ  and  confessed  Him, — 
they  and  their  households.     They  were  organ- 

1  2  Cor.  xi  28.  2  Acts  viii.  14.  3  Titus  i.  5. 


22  THE  CHURCH. 

ized  on  a  simple  but  firm  basis,  meeting  together 
for  worship,  for  prayer  and  praise,  for  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Lord's  Supper,  for  Christian 
culture  and  service.  To  lead  and  care  for  these 
organized  assemblies  there  were  certain  officers 
required  of  higher  and  lower  grades,  and  these 
seem  to  have  been  provided  according  to  special 
exigencies  or  the  differing  needs  disclosed.  A 
wise  law  of  expediency  was  recognized  in  that 
first  period  of  the  Christian  Church,  so  allowing 
for  a  considerable  variation  in  externals.  Never- 
theless there  were  ordained  "  ministers,"  "elders," 
"  bishops,"  "  presbyters,"  "  deacons,"  in  those 
early  days,  and  to  men  thus  commissioned  was 
committed  the  oversight  of  these  Churches. 
Thus  leaders  and  teachers  were  not  all  possessed 
of  the  same  gifts,  and  they  exercised  quite  dif- 
ferent faculties.  "  And  he  gave  some,  apostles ; 
and  some,  prophets  ;  and  some,  evangelists  ;  and 
some,  pastors  and  teachers  ;  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and 
for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ."  ^  To 
direct  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  preach  the  word, 
administer  the  Christian  ordinances,  and  care  for 
the  poor  and  distressed,  was  then  as  now,  the 

1  Eph.  iv.  11,  12. 


CHURCH  IN   THE   APOSTOLIC   PERIOD.        23 

work  to  which  ministers  were  called  —  "  elders" 
or  "  bishops  "  —  the  end  being  ''  the  edifying  of 
the  body  of  Christ."  There  was  no  papal  estab- 
lishment then  ;  no  hierarchy  with  a  perversion 
and  abuse  of  priestly  orders ;  the  bishop  was 
often  no  more  than  the  teacher  of  a  simple  con- 
gregation, the  pastor  of  one  body  of  believers, 
or  the  senior  among  a  number  of  presbyters 
whose  counsel  was  taken  in  the  regulation  of 
the  affairs  of  any  number  of  associated  Churches. 
There  was  ecclesiasticism  under  that  first  rule, 
for  due  regard  was  paid  to  order,  system,  and 
authority  ;  but  it  was  a  home  government,  whole- 
some, intelligent,  simple,  having  but  few  of  the 
cumbrous,  hierarchical  features  which  not  many 
centuries  afterwards  pressed  so  heavily  upon  the 
whole  Cliurch  and  overlaid  its  spiritual  life. 

The  Christian  Church  was  by  no  means  per- 
fect in  that  first  age  of  its  history.  The  record 
shows  its  weaknesses  and  defects.  It  suffered 
even  in  that  early  period  from  apostasy,  hypoc- 
risy, and  a  corrupting  selfishness  on  the  part  of 
many  of  its  representatives.  It  did  not  appear  in 
all  respects  as  the  ideal  Church,  "  holy  and  with- 
out blemish,"  ^  for  gross  errors  crept  in,  and  its 

1  Eph.  V.  27. 


24  THE   CHURCH 

glory  was  dimmed  by  practices  of  folly,  pride, 
and  worldliiiess.  Nevertheless  the  picture  of 
the  Church  in  Apostolic  times  is  beautiful  and 
attractive.  Then  it  represented  the  simplicity 
of  the  Gospel  in  doctrine  and  forms,  and  not 
less  the  large  and  hopeful  expression  of  Chris- 
tianity which  constitutes  the  world's  highest 
inspiration.  Its  members,  taken  collectively, 
believed  heartily,  worked  and  worshipped  in  a 
close  fellowship,  thus  broadening  and  deepening 
their  own  spiritual  life  while  they  sought  to 
make  the  Church,  which  stood  to  them  for  the 
Christ  faith  and  service,  an  aggressive,  trium- 
phant force  in  the  world.  It  helps  ns  in  the 
study  of  applied  Christianity  to  send  our  thought 
backward  to  the  early  Church  and  notice  its 
faithful  use  of  means  and  activities  in  honoring 
our  Lord  and  extending  His  Kingdom  on  the 
earth. 

IV.  —  Place  and  Functions  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

The  Church  announced  by  Christ  and  estab- 
lished by  the  Apostles,  acting  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  Ploly  Spirit,  has  lived  and  flourished 


PLACE  AND   FUNCTIONS   OF  THE   CHURCH-    25 

until  now.  It  has  embodied  and  expressed  more 
or  less  clearly  the  vital  truths  of  Christiani- 
ity,  and  has  been  the  vehicle  of  their  commu- 
nication among  men.  It  has  stood  forth  as  a 
sign  and  memorial  of  the  living  Saviour,  an  or- 
ganic witness  of  the  Divine  might  and  glory, 
and  an  effective  agency  of  discipling  the  na- 
tions of  earth  according  to  the  Christ  command. 
And  thus  have  been  met  in  some  degree  those 
deep,  spiritual  needs  of  human  nature,  where 
first  we  find  the  suggestion  of  such  an  organiza- 
tion as  the  Christian  Churcli.  It  presents  itself 
thus  naturally,  and  so  has  permanency.  It  justi- 
fies its  continued  existence  on  the  ground  of  fit- 
ness for  man's  religious  needs,  and  usefulness  as 
a  working  force  of  trutli  and  righteousness.  "  If 
religion  had  not  some  external  institution,  it 
would  not  have  a  manifestation  among  men  as 
a  distinct,  substantive,  all-important  thing,  —  it 
would  appear  like  a  matter  of  private  opinion,  — 
its  nature  and  evidence  could  scarcely  be  made 
sensible,  still  less  prominent,  to  the  eyes  of  man- 
kind at  large  ;  and  the  grand  benefits  to  be  de- 
rived from  social  instruction  and  worship  would 
be  lost."  1     Constituted  in  accord  with  instincts 

1  J.  Pye  Smith,  Christian  Theology,  p.  616. 


26  THE  CHURCH. 

arid  ideas  that  are  fundamental  in  human  nature, 
the  Church,  bearing  God's  impress  upon  it,  might 
be  expected  to  have  an  enduring  life.  This  has 
been  its  history.  The  Christian  Church  has  been 
touched  by  many  changes,  has  passed  througli 
periods  of  great  trial,  has  been  subjected  to 
many  untoward  influences  both  from  within  and 
from  w^ithout ;  but  it  has  survived  all  opposition, 
and  has  emerged  from  any  temporary  darkness 
with  such  a  re-adjustment  of  its  forces  as  to 
again  attract  the  world  to  itself.  It  is  not  possi- 
ble in  this  writing  to  trace  the  progress  of  events 
and  changes  as  connected  with  the  organic  life 
of  Christianity.  Some  things  in  such  a  review 
are  not  pleasant ;  many  things  are  perplexing 
and  tend  to  controversy  ;  and  it  may  well  suffice 
for  our  present  purposes  that  we  consider  how 
the  Christian  Church  has  stood  enduringly  and 
made  progress,  despite  the  grievous  weights  it 
has  sometimes  carried,  and  the  base  alloy  which 
has  been  mixed  with  the  pure  material,  both  as 
regards  its  doctrines  and  its  usages. 

This  advancing,  re-adjusted  Church  is  not  a 
perfect  institution.  It  has  suffered  by  schisms 
and  contests  respecting  questions  of  dogmatic 
belief  or  matters  pertaining  to  forms  and  cere- 


PLACE   AND   FUNCTIONS   OF   THE   CHURCH.    27 

monies ;  it  shows  the  scars  of  many  a  fierce  con- 
flict thus  brought  about.  Divisions  many  and 
great  exist  within  its  lines,  so  that  there  is  not 
everywhere  one  and  the  same  representation  of 
the  Divine  glory,  worship,  and  testimony.  Or- 
ganic unity,  the  dream  of  pious  hearts  through 
all  the  centuries,  still  seems  a  great  way  off,  for 
the  clash  of  opposing  systems  and  the  strife  of 
sects  still  continue.  Spiritual  unity,  however, 
appears  to  be  gaining  ground.  Externals,  the 
merely  technical  matters  relating  to  Church  pro- 
cedure, do  not  claim  so  much  attention  as  for- 
merly, nor  is  there  so  much  stress  laid  upon  the 
comparatively  unimportant  features  of  Christ's 
teaching.  Never  before,  since  the  Apostolic  age, 
was  there  so  much  of  love  and  co-operation 
among  Christians  as  now ;  the  spirit  of  intoler- 
ance and  bigotry  seems  fast  disappearing,  and 
believers  and  Churches  are  finding  out  the  fact 
that  the  tests  by  which  they  must  be  tried  are 
those  of  character  and  Christian  productiveness. 
Sectarian  bitterness  does  not  make  itself  so  much 
felt  in  these  later  days ;  there  is  more  of  love 
and  sympathy  among  Christ's  professed  follow- 
ers, and  thus  the  spiritual  entity  of  the  Church 
becomes  more  evident.     Men  who  stand  together, 


28  THE   CHURCH. 

sharing  in  the  great  activities  of  the  age  for 
human  good  and  practically  supporting  each 
other  in  efforts  to  enlighten  and  bless  the  world, 
do  not  lind  it  difficult  to  believe  in  that  unity  in- 
dicated by  the  Saviour  in  His  memorable  prayer 
for  all  His  true  followers  :  "  I  in  them,  and  Thou 
in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  one."  ^ 

The  Christian  Church,  fragmentary  as  it  seems 
at  the  first  view,  presents  itself  with  oneness  of 
character,  aims,  service,  for  its  glory  shines 
brightest  only  where  it  is  regarded  as  an  agency 
through  which  and  by  which  the  world  shall 
be  brought  to  Christ;  all  believers,  all  hearts 
being  united  to  Him,  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church,  by  the  blessed  ties  of  faith,  love,  and 
true  service. 

Here  then  we  discern  the  place  and  functions 
of  the  Christian  Church,  instituted  to  meet  the 
religious  needs  of  mankind,  to  preserve  and  dif- 
fuse the  principles  of  the  Gospel,  and  help  faith- 
ful, believing  souls  to  realize  more  of  moral  life 
and  blessedness.  Its  adaptation  to  the  busy, 
struggling  world  of  to-day  is  clearly  apparent. 
It  claims  the  foremost  place  among  the  institu- 
tions and  forces  that  exercise  a  benign  influence 

1  John  xvii,  23. 


PLACE  AND  FUNCTIONS   OF  THE   CHURCH.    29 

upon  modei^n  society.  This  claim  rests  not  only 
upon  the  Divine  appointment  and  sanction,  but 
upon  its  inherent  character,  its  representation  of 
the  Christ  life  and  law,  and  its  identification  with 
the  great  redemptive  forces  of  human  salvation. 
In  the  progress  of  the  centuries,  subjected  as  the 
Christian  Church  has  been  to  the  influence  of 
social  and  political  changes,  with  new  light  break- 
ing forth  from  the  Scriptures  and  higher  calls  of 
duty  and  privilege  continually  presented,  we  may 
well  believe  that  the  scope  of  its  work  and  the 
range  of  its  mission  have  not  lessened.  Its  es- 
sential features  remain  the  same,  but  its  province 
is  broadened  a  good  deal  in  these  latest  days 
under  the  estimate  that  is  now  applied  to  the 
institution. 

The  Church  of  Christ  still  exercises  a  spir- 
itual ministry  to  the  individual.  One  of  its 
functions,  as  a  repository  of  moral  forces,  is  to 
influence  persons  and  bring  them  one  by  one 
into  closer  relations  with  God.  As  an  agency 
of  Christian  enlightenment,  a  help  to  holy  liv- 
ing, and  a  means  of  grace  and  blessing,  it  min- 
isters efficiently  to  man's  religious  needs.  By 
the  personal  confession  of  Christ  and  pledge 
of   fidelity   to   Him   which   it   requires,  by   the 


30  THE   CHURCH. 

ordinances  and  fellowship  which  it  provides,  to- 
gether with  the  special  duties  for  which  it  gives 
the  call  and  makes  the  opportunity,  the  Church 
exercises  a  gracious  and  powerful  ministry  to 
mankind  as  individuals.  It  is  an  instrumen- 
tality through  which  man's  religious  life  is  re- 
newed and  developed  as  the  pledged  follower 
of  Christ  makes  progress  in  the  heavenly  way. 
Far  beyond  this  line,  however,  do  the  offices 
and  functions  of  the  Christian  Church  extend. 
The  Church  is  designed  to  act  witliin  and  upon 
society.  It  is  in  the  realms  of  associated  en- 
deavor that  its  mighty  force  is  disclosed  and  its 
grand  accomplishments  signified.  The  power 
that  it  inherently  possesses  with  all  its  accumu- 
lated resources  is  to  be  applied  objectively  to 
serve  the  interests  of  related  life.  The  Chris- 
tian Church  which  meets  the  loftiest  ideal  must 
show  a  broad  sympathy  with  human  needs,  and 
be  practically  helpful  to  men  in  all  their  strug- 
gles to  attain  more  favored  conditions.  It  can 
only  justify  its  existence  by  doing  work  outside 
its  own  lines,  and  constantly  making  itself  felt 
as  an  aggressive  force  in  the  regeneration  of 
human  society  and  the  conquest  of  the  whole 
world  to  Christ.      In   such  true  service,  repre- 


ORDINANCES   OF   THE   CHURCH.  31 

senting  the  religion  of  the  Xew  Testament  ap- 
plied to  the  social,  educational,  and  industrial 
life  of  the  community,  —  to  all  its  interests  and 
concerns  of  moral  uplifting,  —  we  may  well 
discern  the  place  and  functions  of  the  Christian 
Church  in  our  own  most  favored  age.  Occupy- 
ing such  an  exalted  position,  called  to  such 
extended  and  practical  labors,  the  Church  suf- 
fers no  abridgment  of  its  ancient  prestige,  and 
is  not  less  potent  in  fulfilling  other  ministries 
and  discharging  other  offices  having  relation  to 
personal  faith  and  piety.  Its  kingdom  is  not 
lessened  by  the  view  taken,  and  all  the  more 
glorious  does  it  appear  in  the  broad  sweep  of  its 
activities  leading  to  universal  righteousness. 

y.  —  Ordixaxces  of  the  Church. 

As  the  Church  is  not  Christianity  itself,  so 
the  ordinances  accepted  and  used  by  the 
Church  do  not  constitute  its  entire  vitality. 
Back  of  the  institution  which  expresses  the 
Christ  being  and  rule  is  Divine  truth,  existing 
primarily  in  ideas  and  principles,  and  back  of 
all  rites  is  the  organism  that  adopts  them. 
But   just   as  we    should    expect  Christianity  to 


32  THE   CHURCH. 

appear  in  an  organic  life  and  take  on  an  insti- 
tutional character,  so  should  we  anticipate  that 
certain  rites  would  be  appointed  and  made  im- 
portant in  the  administration  of  the  body  thus 
created.  It  does  not  seem  strange  that  there 
should  be  ordinances  of  a  sacred  and  binding 
character  divinely  imposed  upon  the  Church, 
identified  in  the  very  nature  of  things  with  its 
communion  and  work  ;  and  most  certainly  there 
is  nothing  more  arbitrary  or  unnatural  in  these 
rites  and  observances  than  in  the  establishment 
of  the  Church  itself. 

There  are  two  ordinances  or  sacraments 
generally  recognized  in  the  Christian  Church ; 
namely.  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper.  There 
are  other  ordinances  regarded  as  sacraments 
in  some  communions.  Thus  the  Church  of 
Rome  includes  seven  ordinances  in  the  list  of 
sacraments,  —  Baptism,  Lord's  Supper,  Confir- 
mation, Penance,  Ordination,  Marriage,  and  Ex- 
treme Unction.  However  important  some  of 
these  ordinances  or  usages  may  be,  they  do  not 
rank  with  the  first  two  named  rites,  nor  are 
they  presented  in  the  Scriptures  as  of  like  bind- 
ing import.  Setting  aside  the  so-called  sacra- 
ments, wliich  were  added  by  tlie  Church  in  the 


ORDINANCES  OF  THE  CHURCH.       33 

days  when  vain  tradition  and  superstition  held 
sway,  we  have  to  consider  the  two  chief  ordi- 
nances whose  use  seems  justified  by  the  letter 
and  the  spirit  of  the  New  Testament. 

It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  term  "  sac- 
rament "  is  not  a  Scriptural  word,  having  been 
adopted  into  ecclesiastical  usage  after  the  Apos- 
tolic period.  The  word  is  significant,  however, 
as  applied  to  observances,  by  the  use  of  which 
believers  are  supposed  to  solemnly  pledge  them- 
selves to  Christ  and  His  service.  Baptism  and 
the  Lord's  Supper,  regarded  as  sacraments,  im- 
ply much  of  sacred  obligation  and  true  spiritual 
allegiance  to  Christ  the  Lord.  They  are  signs 
and  evidences  of  a  right  disposition  of  the  life  ; 
and  they  likewise  represent  great  and  precious 
truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  spiritual  presence 
of  Christ  our  Lord. 

Baptism  is  the  initiatory  rite  of  the  Christian 
Church.  It  was  adopted  as  such  by  the  Apos- 
tles on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  has  been  thus 
regarded  and  practised  since  that  memorable 
date.  Jesus  was  himself  baptized  at  the  hands 
of  John  the  Baptist,^  thus  sanctioning  the  use 
of  the  rite;  though  for  Him,  the  head  of  the 

1  Matt.  iii.  13,  17. 
3 


34  THE  CHURCH. 

Church,  it  was  not  needed  either  as  a  sign  or 
a  pledge.  During  the  personal  ministry  that 
Jesus  exercised  on  the  earth,  baptism  was  rec- 
ognized as  a  sacred  rite,  and  was  practised  by 
His  disciples  to  some  extent.  So  it  is  recorded 
"  that  Jesus  made  and  baptized  more  disciples 
than  John  ;  though  Jesus  himself  baptized  not, 
but  His  disciples."  *  Evidently  there  was  some 
regard  paid  to  this  rite,  as  introductory  to 
open  Christian  discipleship,  prior  to  the  period 
when  the  risen  Saviour  gave  command  for  its 
perpetual  observance.^  The  baptismal  rite  ad- 
ministered during  the  personal  ministry  of  Jesus 
did  not  take  on  the  significance  with  which  it 
was  invested  after  the  ascension  of  our  Lord. 
As  the  visible  Church  was  not  actually  consti- 
tuted until  the  Holy  Ghost  came  upon  the 
Apostles,  so  not  until  then  can  it  be  said  that 
Christian  baptism  was  directly  enjoined  and 
presented  in  all  its  fulness  of  meaning.  Saint 
Peter,  in  his  memorable  discourse  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  laid  stress  upon  this  initiatory 
rite.  His  call  was,  "  Repent,  and  be  baptized 
every  one  of  you ; "  ^  and  most  successful  was 
his   appeal,    for   "they   that   gladly    heard   his 

1  John  iv.  1,  2.       2  Matt,  xxviii  19.        ^  Acts  ii.  38. 


ORDINANCES  OF  THE  CHURCH.      35 

word  were  baptized,  and  that  same  day  there 
were  added  unto  them  about  three  thousand 
souls."  ^ 

From  that  date  forward  the  Apostles  preached 
the  word,  established  churches,  and  baptized  be- 
lievers according  to  the  commission  they  had 
received  from  Christ.  Just  what  the  order  of 
service  was,  and  the  precise  words  used,  and  the 
specific  manner  in  which  water  was  applied  to 
the  candidate,  are  matters  left  in  some  obscurity  ; 
but  the  fact  that  baptism  was  required  and  ad- 
ministered by  the  Apostles  admits  of  no  question. 
The  instances  of  the  Apostolic  practice  of  this 
rite  are  numerous,  and  the  incidental  references 
to  its  sacred  and  obligatory  character  are  still 
more  ample.  There  is  no  room  to  doubt  the 
position  assigned  to  this  rite  by  the  early  Church, 
any  more  than  there  is  to  question  the  signifi- 
cance which  attached  to  it  as  a  sign  of  death 
unto  sin  and  birth  into  righteousness.  How  aptly 
Saint  Paul  states  the  spiritual  import  of  bap- 
tism :  "  How  shall  we,  who  died  to  sin,  live  any 
longer  therein  ?  Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of 
us  as  were  baptized  into  Jesus  Christ,  were  bap- 
tized into  His  death  ?     That  like  as  Christ  was 

1  Acts  ii.  41. 


36  THE  CHURCH. 

raised  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father, 
even  so  we  also  should  walk  in  newness  of  life."  ^ 

Baptism  specially  signified  moral  regeneration, 
actual  as  in  the  cases  of  believers,  prospective  as 
in  the  instances  where  children  were  the  sub- 
jects of  the  rite.  To  both  classes,  however,  it  in- 
dicated a  reception  into  the  Church.  Thus  this 
ordinance  was  applied  in  all  its  beautiful  force 
and  significance.  Old  and  young  were  baptized, 
families  and  households,  and  to  one  and  all  a 
Church  relationship  was  pledged  or  typified. 

The  Lord's  Supper  comes  to  us  with  no  less 
solemn  sanctions,  while  it  is  invested  with  sweeter 
associations  and  still  more  gracious  suggestions. 
The  Scriptural  accounts  show  the  purpose  of 
Christ  in  instituting  the  rite,  and  His  evident 
design  that  it  should  continue  to  be  used  by  all 
His  followers  as  an  act  of  commemoration  and 
a  means  of  grace.  Three  of  the  Evangelists  re- 
cord with  much  carefulness  the  institution  of 
this  ordinance;  they  report  the  tender  and  sol- 
emn manner  in  which  Jesus  brought  into  use  sym- 
bols most  significant,  that  He  might  represent 
and  confirm  the  essential  characteristics  of  the 
religion  He  taught,  and  impress  upon  the  minds 

1  Romans  vi.  2, 


ORDINANCES  OF   THE    CHURCH.  37 

of  His  disciples  the  offering  He  was  about  to 
make  of  Himself  for  the  salvation  of  the  world. 
One  of  the  accounts  given  is  as  follows :  "  And 
as  they  were  eating,  He  took  bread,  and  when 
He  had  blessed,  He  brake  it,  and  gave  to  them, 
and  said.  Take  ye  :  this  is  my  body.  And  He 
took  the  cup,  and  when  he  had  given  thanks,  He 
gave  to  them:  and  they  all  drank  of  it.  And 
He  said  unto  them,  This  is  my  blood  of  the  cove- 
nant, which  is  shed  for  many.  Verily  I  say  unto 
you,  I  will  no  more  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine, 
until  that  day  when  I  drink  it  new  in  the  king- 
dom of  God."  ' 

The  force  and  meaning  of  the  symbols  thus 
employed  will  be  apprehended  if  we  consider 
other  passages  of  the  Gospel.  Thus  our  Saviour 
asserts :  "  This  is  the  bread  which  cometh  down 
out  of  Heaven,  that  a  man  may  eat  thereof  and 
not  die.  I  am  the  living  bread  which  came  down 
out  of  Heaven :  if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread  he 
shall  live  forever:  yea  and  the  bread  which  I 
will  give  is  my  flesh  for  the  life  of  the  world. 
Whoso  eateth  my  flesh  and  drinketh  my  blood 
hath  eternal  life."  ^  St.  Paul  was  moved  to  in- 
dicate in  very  clear  words  the  way  and  manner 

1  Mark  xiv.  22,  25.  2  joim  y,.  50,  51^  54. 


38  THE    CHURCH. 

in  which  Jesus  instituted  this  sacred  rite.  "  For 
I  received  of  the  Lord  thaf  which  also  I  deliv- 
ered unto  you,  how  that  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the 
night  in  which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread  ;  and 
when  he  had  given  thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said, 
This  is  my  body  which  is  broken  for  you;  this  do 
in  remembrance  of  me.  In  like  manner  also  the 
cup,  after  supper,  saying,  This  cup  is  the  new 
covenant  in  my  blood  ;  this  do,  as  oft  as  ye  drink 
it,  in  remembrance  of  me.  For  as  often  as  ye 
eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  proclaim 
the  Lord's  death  till  he  come."  ^ 

The  symbolical  character  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
or  Holy  Communion  is  most  evident.  It  was 
instituted  under  conditions  of  pathetic  solemnity 
just  before  the  scenes  of  Gethsemane  and  Cal- 
vary. It  was  given  first  to  Jewish  disciples,  who 
would  naturally  be  quick  to  discern  the  relation 
of  this  new  rite  with  the  Passover,  and  hence 
appreciate  its  imputation  and  binding  use.  It 
was  accepted  by  believers  generally  in  the  early 
Church,  as  is  evident  from  frequent  allusions  in 
Acts  and  the  Epistles.  It  appealed  powerfully  in 
its  commemorative  features  to  both  Jewish  and 
Gentile  Christians.     At  the  first  it  was  an  ob- 

1  1  Cor.  xi.  23,  25,  2G. 


ORDINANCES  OF  THE  CHURCH.       39 

servance  somewhat  less  formal  and  solemn  than 
now,  being  made  the  closing  part  of  a  social  meal 
and  used  very  frequently.  As  thus  applied  in 
connection  with  an  actual  supper  it  suffered  some 
abuses,  and  was  therefore  separated  from  the 
"  Feast  of  Charity,"  with  which  it  had  been  first 
joined.  The  Sacramental  celebration  seems  al- 
ways to  have  been  regarded  as  a  religious  cere- 
mony, though  in  its  earlier  use  it  had  more  of 
a  social  and  festive  character  than  afterwards. 
It  was  solemnly  enjoined  upon  the  churches,  and 
became  a  distinctive  sign  of  the  body  and  brother- 
hood of  Christ.  It  was  understood  to  be  a  sym- 
bolical representation  of  Christian  truth,  of  the 
life  and  death  of  the  head  of  the  Church,  a  me- 
morial rite,  an  instituted  means  of  grace  to  all 
who  should  observe  it  in  a  right  frame  of  mind 
and  heart. 

Thus  this  holy  rite  was  perpetuated  and  its 
use  continued  under  varying  forms  in  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  Its  universal  and  perpetual  obli- 
gation has  seldom  been  questioned,  albeit  much 
controversy  has  arisen  as  to  the  modes  of  its 
administration  and  the  effects  produced  by  its 
observance.  Even  in  our  time  wide  differences 
of  opinion  prevail  respecting  these  points.     We 


40  THE   CHURCH. 

do  not  propose  to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  these 
differences,  but  only  express  our  thought  that 
the  best  way  of  determining  such  questions  is  to 
ascertain  the  view  which  our  Lord  and  his  Apos- 
tles took  of  the  Holy  Communion,  at  the  same 
time  keeping  in  mind  the  spiritual  character  of 
the  Christian  religion.  Thus  regarding  the  or- 
dhiance  we  shall  certainly  be  drawn  toward  it 
with  sacred  and  true  regard.  We  shall  see  that 
its  use  is  justified,  made  obligatory  indeed,  by 
the  time  and  manner  of  its  appointment ;  that 
just  as  the  Hebrews  appreciated  the  binding  im- 
port of  the  Passover,  so  should  Christians  give 
heed  to  the  mandate :  "  Do  this  in  remembrance 
of  me."  In  such  a  view,  with  an  estimate  fixed 
according  to  Scriptural  presentation  of  the  sub- 
ject, we  shall  have  respect  and  reverence  for  this 
sacred  rite  as  a  perpetual  testimony  of  Christ 
and  His  truth. 

It  does  not  matter  that  gross  errors  and  cor- 
ruptions have  been  associated  with  the  Lord's 
Supper,  that  the  phrases  "  eating  the  flesh  "  and 
"  drinking  the  blood "  of  Christ  have  been 
pressed  to  an  unwarranted  meaning,  —  and  the 
declaration  "  This  is  My  Body  "  taken  to  mean 
the  actual  presence  of  Christ  corporally  in  the 


PREREQUISITES  FOR  CHURCH   MEMBERSHIP.   41 

symbols  used,  —  all  this  matters  little  as  affect- 
ing the  Scriptural  view  of  the  rite  and  its  claim 
to  continual  observance.  We  have  only  to  re- 
o-ard  the  rite  as  Christ  instituted  it,  interpret 
and  apply  it  in  its  tru^  moral  significance,  and 
it  still  appears  in  all  its  holy  import  and  sweet 
attractiveness,  an  agency  divinely  established  to 
open  the  way  of  communion  between  disciples 
of  Christ,  one  with  another  and  all  with  the  Sav- 
iour, an  abiding  sign  and  pledge  of  fealty  to  the 
Master  on  the  part  of  all  those  who  participate 
in  a  service  of  such  holy  import.  So  it  is  jus- 
tified and  blessed  in  the  truth  it  suggests  ;  the 
fellowship  which  it  provides  for  and  quickens ; 
the  remembrance  it  incites  of  the  Matchless  One 
who  bound  Himself  down  on  Calvary  and  suf- 
fered for  us  all,  and  the  renewed  pledge  which  is 
implied  in  the  use  of  the  emblems,  —  a  pledge  of 
faith,  love,  and  all  true  service  from  hearts  fed 
and  nourished  by  the  Spiritual  Christ, 

YI.  —  Prerequisites  for  Church  Membership. 

If  it  be  granted  that  the  Christian  Church 
has  a  rightful  place  in  the  world  of  to-day,  and 
may  properly  claim  the  support  of  faithful  souls, 


42  THE   CHURCH. 

it  becomes  important  to  consider  the  terms  on 
which  such  devotion  shall  be  signified,  and  the 
tests  of  fitness  to  admission  within  its  line. 
Who  ought  to  constitute  the  Church  of  Christ 
on  the  earth  ?  What  ought  to  be  required  of 
candidates  in  the  way  of  preparation  for  mem- 
bership in  the  Christian  Church  ? 

Going  back  to  the  Church  as  it  existed  in  the 
time  of  the  Apostles,  we  find  the  basis  of  mem- 
bership to  have  comprised  these  two  essential 
features ;  repentance  of  sins,  and  faith  in  Christ 
as  the  Saviour  of  men.  The  message  of  Peter  at 
the  Pentecost  was  direct  and  simple  to  this 
effect.  He  said,  "  Repent  ye,  and  be  baptized 
every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ 
unto  the  remission  of  sins."  ^  Those  who  re- 
ceived the  Apostle's  word  were  baptized  and 
accepted  into  the  newly  formed  Church,  in  which 
organization  they  gave  proof  of  the  discipleship 
to  Christ  by  words  and  works  of  pious  devotion, 
and  by  maintaining  a  fellowship  which  in  that 
early  period  was  most  cordial  and  hearty  among 
believers.  Some  measure  of  faith  was  required  ; 
there  was  a  call  for  belief  in  Christ,  but  not  to 
an  acceptance  of  any  cumbrous  and  perplexing 
1  Acts  ii.  38. 


PREREQUISITES   FOR   CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.   43 

definitions  pertaining  to  His  being*  and  truth ; 
and  there  was  a  demand  for  the  open  profession 
of  a  determination  to  lead  a  righteous  life  and 
be  obedient  to  the  Gospel  precepts.  A  peni- 
tent and  devout  spirit,  an  honest  acceptance  of 
Jesus  Christ  as  Master  and  Leader,  with  some 
degree  of  moral  purpose  and  firm  disposition, 
constituted  all  that  the  primitive  Church  re- 
quired of  men  and  women  received  into  its  com- 
munion. 

Perhaps  the  tests  and  standards  were  not  at 
the  first  sufficiently  stringent.  We  know  that 
much  more  was  required  of  candidates  as  the 
Church  grew  strong  and  extended  both  its  limits 
and  its  authority.  In  some  periods  of  its  history 
it  has  imposed  many  and  harsh  tests,  fencing  up 
the  way,  as  it  were,  to  church  membership,  by 
requirements  relating  to  faith,  knowledge,  and 
experience,  such  as  were  entirely  unknown  in 
the  Apostolic  age.  Sometimes  undue  stress  has 
been  laid  upon  the  acceptance  of  certain  doc- 
trines of  religion  included  in  the  standards  of 
belief ;  again  it  has  been  deemed  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  ascertain  whether  a  "  change  of 
heart "  had  been  experienced  on  the  part  of  the 
applicant,  or  sufficient  progress  made  in  apply- 


44  THE   CHURCH. 

ing  Christian  truth  to  the  conduct  of  life,  to 
warrant  admission  into  the  Church,  which  has 
been  too  much  regarded  in  the  past  as  a  sacred 
enclosure,  a  place  of  repose,  for  the  saints.  It 
is  not  needful  to  spend  much  time  in  deciding 
whether  a  candidate  has  been  really  converted 
and  has  passed  through  a  well-defined  Christian 
experience,  and  in  considering  how  well  versed 
he  is  in  dogmatic  theology  ;  still  there  are  quali- 
fications which  must  be  insisted  upon ;  pre- 
requisites that  ought  not  to  be  ignored  or  lightly 
set  aside.  These  include  a  hearty  repentance 
and  an  actual  forsaking  of  sins  ;  an  ea,rnest  pur- 
pose to  bring  the  character  and  the  life  into 
accord  with  the  standard  of  Gospel  require- 
ments ;  a  self-surrender  to  Christ,  concerning 
whom  of  course  there  must  be  some  measure  of 
belief  together  with  some  understanding  of  the 
truth  he  proclaimed  to  the  world.  These  seem 
to  be  essential  prerequisites,  and  they  cover  the 
entire  ground  of  requirements  included  in  the 
practice  of  the  ancient  Church.  It  ill  accords 
with  the  Catholicity  of  an  institution  bearing 
the  Christ  name,  and  representing  His  kingdom 
on  the  earth,  to  bar  the  approach  to  its  com- 
munion by  sundry  dogmatic  tests  imposed,  or 


PREREQUISITES  FOR   CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.   45 

requirements   calling  for  great    intellectual   or 
spiritual  culture. 

A  particular  Church  may  perhaps  insist  upon 
special  tests  for  membership  in  its  communion, 
justifying  itself  in  so  doing  on  the  ground  that 
there  must  be  a  substantial  agreement  among 
those  who  are  to  walk  and  work  together. 
Just  how  far  it  should  go  in  setting  up  de- 
nominational prerequisites  to  entrance  into  its 
household  is  an  open  question.  If  we  turn  the 
subject  round,  however,  and  regard  it  from  the 
individual  standpoint,  there  would  seem  to  be 
little  or  no  trouble  in  its  determination.  If 
one  is  thinking  of  joining  a  Universalist  Church 
he  will  naturally  ask,  "  Shall  I  be  at  home 
there  ? "  Unless  he  can  accept  in  substance 
what  is  distinctive  in  the  Universalist  interpre- 
tation of  Christianity,  he  cannot  properly  unite 
with  that  body;  he  had  better  affiliate  w^th 
some  other  branch  of  the  Church.  And  of 
course  there  should  be  a  like  questioning  and 
decision  on  the  part  of  all  earnest  men  and 
women  proposing  to  unite  with  one  or  another 
body  of  believers,  that  they  may  take  no  false 
steps,  but  go  where  their  convictions  naturally 
carry  them,  and  where  they  feel  they  can  render 
the  most  of  service  to  God  and  man. 


46  THE  CHURCH. 

The  Church  in  its  various  communions  pre- 
sents itself  to  command  the  faith,  devotion, 
and  service  of  all  the  followers  of  Christ.  If 
tliere  is  the  right  purpose,  an  awakened  sense 
of  duty,  a  feeling  of  self-surrender  to  Christ, 
possessing  the  hearts  of  God's  children,  then 
indeed  are  the  indispensable  prerequisites  of 
Church  membership  met ;  but  something  more 
is  needed  to  mark  an  entrance  into  Church 
relations  and  signify  what  is  really  meant  by 
such  a  connection.  There  must  be  an  open 
assumption  of  obligations  and  duties,  and  a 
conformity  to  certain  outward  observances  iden- 
tified with  the  very  life  of  the  Church  forms 
and  usages,  that  cannot  be  ignored  without 
greatly  limiting  its  dignity  and  truth. 

Confession  is  called  for  at  the  outset.  Jesus 
desires  His  disciples  to  acknowledge  Him : 
"  Whosoever  will  confess  me  before  men,  him 
will  I  also  confess  before  my  Father  who  is  in 
Heaven.  But  whosoever  shall  deny  me  before 
men,  him  will  I  also  deny  before  my  Father 
who  is  in  Heaven."  ^  Saint  Paul  emphasized 
the  Christ  call  for  confession  :  "  If  thou  shalt 
confess   with   thy  mouth   the   Lord   Jesus,  and 

1  Matt.  X.  32,  33. 


PREREQUISITES  FOR  CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.   47 

shalt  believe  in  thine  heart  that  God  has  raised 
Him  from  the  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved;  for 
with  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteous- 
ness, and  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made 
unto  salvation."  ^  Christ  requires  an  acknowl- 
edgment from  his  disciples, —  a  confession  of 
faith  and  a  profession  of  fealty.  The  Church 
which  represents  His  kingdom  on  the  earth 
rightfully  demands  that  some  sign  shall  be 
given  by  those  enrolled  as  its  members,  so 
that  they  may  be  known  and  counted  as  loyal 
to  the  great  Commander. 

A  profession  is  to  be  made  and  witnessed  ; 
not  an  assertion  of  saintly  character,  profound 
knowledge,  or  eminent  services,  but  only  an 
affirmation  of  faith  and  love  toward  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church,  Christ  tlie  Lord.  The 
vows  taken,  the  obligations  assumed,  the  ac- 
knowledgments made  and  signified  by  use  of 
the  ordinances,  should  be  understood  to  indi- 
cate no  assumed  superiority,  but  only  a  pledge 
of  personal  endeavor  to  make  the  character  and 
the  life  conform  to  the  Christian  standard,  and 
to  unite  with  others  under  the  same  vows  of 
consecration   in   helpful    fellowship   and   works 

1  Romans  x.  9,  10. 


48  THE   CHURCH. 

of  good.  Entrance  into  the  Church  should  im- 
ply this  much  of  purpose,  being  understood  to 
follow  and  indicate  changes  of  thought,  feeling, 
and  conduct,  and  to  mark  the  binding  of  the 
life  to  high  and  holy  aims. 

Any  branch  of  the  Church,  to  maintain  its 
place  as  attached  to  the  true  vine  and  justify 
its  right  to  be,  must  stand  out  separate  from 
the  world.  It  must  assert  its  religious  signifi- 
cance and  make  the  compact  of  members  with 
itself  to  mean  something.  If  it  shall  seek  to 
increase  its  membership  by  taking  a  lower  posi- 
tion, reducing  its  claims,  and  requiring  little 
or  nothing  of  formal  confession  or  pledge  on 
the  part  of  those  coming  within  its  lines,  the 
question  may  well  be  raised  whether,  if  thus 
successful  in  augmenting  its  members,  the  gain 
is  not  merely  nominal.  A  church  organization 
is  not  much  strengthened  by  adding  to  itself 
careless,  irresponsive,  or  undevout  members  who 
attach  but  little  meaning  to  the  institution,  and 
consent,  perhaps,  to  have  their  names  upon  the 
church  books,  regarding  the  establishment  of 
such  a  connection  as  a  matter  of  slight  conse- 
quence. Better  by  far  is  it  to  maintain  the 
Cliurch   in  its   distinctive   attitude,  and   to   re- 


OBJECTIONS   TO   THE   CHURCH.  49 

quire  something  of  preparation  and  testimony 
on  the  part  of  those  who  enter  its  active  com- 
munion. They  who  come  into  the  Church  hav- 
ing the  prerequisites  indicated,  recognizing  the 
importance  of  the  step  they  are  taking  in  con- 
fessing Christ  and  pledging  themselves  to  ser- 
vice in  His  name,  will  most  certainly  exercise 
large  influence  and  be  extensively  useful  in  and 
through  its  communion;  they  will  be  greatly 
blessed  while  blessing  others  in  the  Church 
relations. 


VII.  —  Objections  urged  against  the  Church 
AND  THE  Ordinances. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  a  goodly  number 
of  intelligent  people,  some  of  them  religiously 
inclined,  look  with  disfavor  upon  the  Church 
and  its  Ordinances.  One  class  of  opposers 
would  abolish  the  Church  with  all  that  goes 
with  it  of  ceremonial  usage.  Another  class 
would  be  contented  with  such  a  readjustment 
as  should  bring  this  institution  to  the  level  of 
societies  claiming  no  Divine  appointment  or 
sanctions,  when  of  course  the  organization 
would  no  longer  be  a  Church  according  to  the 
4 


50-  THE   CHURCH. 

New  Testament  standard,  and  its  ordinances 
would  be  little  respected  or  used.  Still  an- 
other class  urge  objections  which  apply  only 
to  certain  features  of  Church  life  and  govern- 
ment, and  may  therefore  be  regarded  as  sug- 
gestive of  an  amended  course  of  ecclesiastical 
procedure  and  not  of  the  destruction  of  the 
institution. 

It  is  boldly  affirmed  by  representatives  of  the 
first-named  class  that  the  whole  Church  or- 
ganization has  become  a  clog  upon  men.  It 
has  outlived  its  usefulness,  we  are  told.  The 
present  age  does  not  require  such  an  institu- 
tion. Its  rites  have  become  meaningless  and 
distasteful  to  the  more  intelligent  portions  of 
the  community.  What  the  world  wants  to-day 
is  applied  Christianity  set  free  from  institu- 
tional forms  and  ceremonies.  Of  course  we 
challenge  the  correctness  of  these  affirmations. 
The  utility  of  the  Church  organization  is  still 
clearly  evident.  It  has  not  ceased  to  be  re- 
quired as  a  working  force  of  moral  and  spir- 
itual power  on  the  earth.  The  best  instincts 
of  human  hearts  are  still  operating  for  its  sup- 
port. The  world's  progress,  changes  in  social 
and   moral    order,   the   practicalizing  of  Chris- 


OBJECTIONS   TO  THE   CHURCH.  51 

tian  truth,  do  not  by  any  means  detract  from 
the  claims  of  the  Church  to  be  considered  a 
permanent  institution.  Its  solemn,  significant 
rites  are  still  needed ;  devout  and  loving  hearts 
still  appreciate  their  worth. 

It  is  often  said  that  the  Church  of  to-day  —  in 
Protestant  jurisdictions  —  has  lost  prestige  and 
influence  by  its  changed  attitude  respecting  au- 
thority and  church  membership.  Formerly  a 
special  sanctity  was  supposed  to  attach  to  the 
institution,  and  its  members  did  not  hesitate  to 
claim  that  they  were  the  special  favorites  of 
God  and  Christ.  Church  members  by  the  old 
platform  were  "  visible  saints  ;  "  now  they  are 
regarded  but  as  learners  and  disciples.  In  this 
transition,  it  is  urged,  the  exclusiveness  of  the 
Church  and  its  highest  claim  of  authority  and 
ministry  have  been  lost,  and  it  must  be  content 
to  rank  with  the  human  societies,  the  great  fra- 
ternities of  the  age,  many  of  which  outrank  the 
church  in  ministries  of  practical  benefit. 

Two  answers  may  be  made  to  this  form  of 
criticism  :  (1)  The  Church  is  only  returning  to 
the  simplicity  of  Christ  and  the  practice  of  the 
Apostolic  period,  in  estimating  itself  as  a  means 
to  an  end,  and  in  looking  upon  its  members  not 


52  THE   CHURCH. 

as  saints,  but  rather  as  students  and  workers 
pledged  to  follow  the  Master  in  a-  way  that  may 
be  expected  to  broaden  constantly  in  knowledge 
and  service.  "And  he  gave  some  to  be  apostles; 
and  some,  prophets ;  and  some,  evangelists  ;  and 
some,  pastors  and  teachers ;  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  saints,  unto  the  work  of  ministering,  unto 
the  building  up  of  the  body  of  Christ ;  till  we 
all  attain  unto  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  fullgrown 
man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  ful- 
ness of  Christ."  ^  (2)  No  fraternity  assumes 
any  such  place  as  the  Church  of  Christ  occupies, 
notwithstanding  any  supposed  lessening  of  its 
claims  and  sanctions.  There  are  numerous 
fraternal  organizations  blessing  human  society, 
dispensing  light  and  knowledge,  while  they  min- 
ister efficiently  to  the  needs  of  the  poor  and  dis- 
tressed. Such  organizations  accomplish  much 
in  the  way  of  fellowship  and  true  service  ;  but 
they  attempt  nothing  in  such  lines  of  worthy 
effort  to  which  the  Church  is  not  pledged,  while 
the  Church  goes  beyond  them  all  in  constituting 
a  bond  of  communion  not  only  as  between  man 
and  his  fellow-man,  but  as  between  men  and  God. 

1  Ephesians  iv.  11,  12,  13. 


OBJECTIONS    TO   THE   CHURCH.  53 

The  Church  still  presents  itself  as  an  institution 
provided  to  unite  professed  disciples  with  Christ 
the  Lord ;  to  pledge  them  to  obedience  to  Him 
who  calls  for  more  of  generous  unselfish  service 
in  behalf  of  human  needs  and  interests  than  is 
included  in  the  demands  of  any  of  the  fraterni- 
ties. Members  of  the  Christian  Church  are 
pledged  to  follow  Him  who  said  :  "  I  am  among 
you  as  He  that  serveth."  ^  "  The  son  of  man 
came  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minis- 
ter." 2  a  I  have  given  you  an  example  that  ye 
should  do  as  I  have  done  unto  you."  ^ 

A  want  of  fidelity  on  the  part  of  its  members 
is  often  urged  against  the  Church.  Tlie  organiza- 
tion is  criticised  because  its  members  do  not  live 
up  to  their  professions.  Hypocrites  and  pretend- 
ers find  place  within  its  ranks,  and  therefore,  say 
some,  the  institution  itself  should  be  discarded. 

There  is  no  logic  in  such  a  conclusion.  As 
well  might  the  rash  iconoclast  seek  to  destroy 
the  family  relation  because  there  are  inmates  of 
a  household  not  amenable  to  domestic  ties  and 
restraints,  whose  words  and  acts  are  out  of  har- 
mony with  the  principles  of  kindred  association 
and  helpfulness.      The  Church  is  not  a  perfect 

1  Luke  xxii.  27.    2  Matt.  xx.  28.      ^  John  xiii.  15. 


54  THE   CHURCH. 

institution  judged  by  the  lives  and  characters  of 
its  members  ;  its  glory  is  dimmed  and  its  useful- 
ness impeded  by  those  who  are  stumbling-blocks 
in  the  way.  But  all  this  does  not  touch  its  in- 
trinsic character,  or  detract  from  its  divinely  ap- 
pointed mission  in  representing  Christ  and  His 
kingdom  on  the  earth.  The  Church  is  manned 
by  weak,  imperfect  men  ;  but  behind  these  agents 
is  the  Lord  of  life  and  light,  whose  blessed  en- 
ergy constitutes  its  assured  permanence  and 
growth  into  an  ideal  state.  "  For  Christ  also 
loved  the  Church  and  gave  Himself  for  it,  that 
He  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  with  the  wash- 
ing of  water  by  the  word,  that  He  might  present 
it  to  Himself  a  glorious  Church,  not  having  spot 
or  wrinkle  or  any  such  thing ;  but  holy  and 
without  blemish."  ^ 

But  why  fix  attention  too  strongl}^  upon  ex- 
crescences and  defects?  The  Christian  Church 
has  an  illumined  history  in  which  are  shown 
saintly  characters  and  heroic  deeds.  It  is  true 
that  even  among  the  Apostles  there  was  a  Judas ; 
and  in  the  Church  as  first  established  there  were 
men  like  Ananias  and  Simon  the  sorcerer  of 
Samaria.     Selfish  and  base  men  have  been  num- 

1  Eph.  V.  25-27. 


OBJECTIONS   TO  THE   ORDINANCES.  55 

bered  among  the  professed  disciples  of  Christ  in 
every  age  ;  but  the  great  majority  of  church 
members  have  been  honest,  kind-hearted,  God- 
fearing men  and  women,  who  have  worthily 
represented  the  faith  they  have  professed,  and 
helped  to  advance  the  Master's  kingdom  on 
earth.  True  faith  and  true  piety  have  never 
been  extinct  in  the  Christian  Church.  So  the 
word  of  God  has  been  proclaimed,  public  wor- 
ship maintained,  holy  rites  observed,  and  an 
abundant  service  of  good  rendered  by  this  One 
Institution  that  represents  the  Divine  Life  in- 
carnate in  Christ.  Even  in  our  day,  while  the 
defective  material  of  the  Church  in  all  its 
branches  is  clearly  visible  and  its  short-comings 
so  numerous,  where  else  do  we  look  to  find  the 
most  attractive  expressions  of  human  character, 
the  most  of  devotion  to  high  and  noble  aims,  the 
most  of  hearty  effective  service  in  the  ways  of 
related  interest  and  public  good  ? 

In  other  forms  of  objection  more  stress  of 
adverse  opinion  is  laid  upon  special  features  in 
church  government  and  usages.  Let  the  Clmrch 
abide,  say  some  of  its  critics,  but  put  away  its 
ecclesiasticism,  its  rigidity  of   forms  and  cere- 


56  THE   CHURCH. 

monies.  And  so  comes  the  suggestion  of  dis- 
countenancing the  use  of  the  ordinances,  on  the 
ground  that  they  are  of  no  practical  benefit 
and  do  not  comport  with  the  spirit  of  the  age. 
Especially  does  this  feeling  manifest  itself  in 
regard  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  That  is  a  relic  of 
superstition,  we  are  told.  It  is  identified  with 
the  debasing  doctrines  of  a  corrupted  church, 
and  even  as  observed  in  Protestant  communions, 
those  of  most  catholic  and  liberal  tendencies, 
there  are  remnants  of  errors  and  vain  traditions 
associated  with  its  use.  It  is  of  little  or  no  practi- 
cal value  ;  indeed  sometimes  it  stands  as  a  hin- 
drance to  church  growth,  for  very  likely  some 
would  enter  into  relations  with  that  organization 
were  it  not  that  they  dislike  to  take  part  in  the 
observance  of  this  ordinance. 

Such  expressions  of  adverse  judgment  fre- 
quently heard  will  have  but  slight  effect  on  the 
minds  of  those  who  regard  the  language  of 
Jesus  in  instituting  this  rite  as  a  command  for 
its  perpetuation.  "  Do  this  in  remembrance  of 
me,"  ^  comes  to  them  as  a  sufficient  warrant  for 
its  continual  observance.  Even  without  any  ex- 
press command  of  the  Scriptures  requiring  the 
1  1  Cor.  xi.  24. 


OBJECTIONS   TO  THE  ORDINANCES.  57 

general  and  continued  use  of  this  rite,  we  find  a 
good  reason  for  its  acceptance  and  perpetuation  in 
the  fact  that  the  Apostles  transmitted  it  to  those 
who  succeeded  them  in  the  administration  of 
church  affairs,  and  thus  it  was  passed  on  and 
has  claimed  recognition  through  all  the  Chris- 
tian centuries.  Surely  we  should  not  think  of 
lightly  discarding  a  rite  used  and  honored  for 
well  nigh  two  thousand  years. 

Its  utility  and  its  attractiveness  are  questioned  ; 
hut  so  indeed  is  Christianity  opposed,  and  on 
mucli  the  same  ground.  To  some  people  all 
the  services  of  religion  are  distasteful,  while  to 
others  the  joy  of  praise  and  worship  is  exceed- 
ingly great.  It  counts  as  nothing  against  the 
Lord's  Supper  that  certain  minds  shrink  from 
it,  and  others  see  little  beauty  or  significance  in 
the  use  of  the  bread  and  the  cup  at  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  communion.  Ask  the  great  company 
of  communicants  and  they  will  testify  to  the  holy 
and  sweet  influences  that  have  come  to  them  in 
the  observance  of  this  ordinance.  They  have 
been  quickened  religiously  by  partaking  of  the 
elements.  They  have  felt  a  drawing  away  from 
sin  and  toward  righteousness  as  they  have  united 
in  a  service  intended  and  adapted  to  bring  them 


58  THE  CHURCH. 

spiritually  near  to  Christ.  By  repeating  the  act 
frequently,  as  opportunity  has  been  offered,  they 
have  been  strengthened  in  their  purposes  of  holy 
and  helpful  living. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  preponderance 
of  Christian  testimony  in  favor  of  this  rite.  If 
it  were  needed  in  the  first  age  as  a  remembrance 
of  Jesus  Christ,  to  bring  His  life  and  teachings 
to  the  minds  of  the  Apostles  and  early  disciples, 
to  signify  all  so  forcibly  the  redemptive  agencies 
of  Divine  grace,  and  to  prompt  and  express  a 
renewal  of  consecration  to  Him,  surely  it  is  still 
needed  for  the  same  purposes.  Human  nature 
has  not  changed,  man's  spiritual  needs  and  in- 
terests are  much  the  same  ;  and  the  earnest  as- 
piring disciple  will  still  find  fresh  inspiration 
and  a  new  and  larger  measure  of  strength  as  he 
tastes  of  the  "  cup  of  consolation,"  and  partakes 
of  the  food  of  the  Holy  Communion.  Thus  will 
the  perfect  exemplar,  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  and  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  be  brought 
visibly  near,  and  the  ear  of  the  believing,  trust- 
ful soul  will  be  open  to  hear  the  grand  procla- 
mation respecting  the  blessed  consummations  of 
Christ's  redeeming  work  :  "  Wherefore  also  God 
highly  exalted  Him,  and  gave  unto  him  the  name 


PRIVILEGES  OF   CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.       59 

which  is  above  every  name  ;  that  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  things  in 
heaven  and  things  on  earth  and  things  under 
the  earth,  and  that  every  tongue  should  confess 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father."  i 


YIII.  —  Privileges  op  Church  Membership. 

It  will  not  be  doubted  that  the  expression  of 
Christian  faith  and  purpose  helps  to  spiritual 
development.  When  any  path  is  declared  it 
seems  to  become  more  clear  and  important  to 
the  individual  making  the  avowal.  It  is  when 
we  have  openly  espoused  a  noble  cause,  when  we 
have  positively  committed  ourselves  to  a  meri- 
torious enterprise,  that  there  comes  to  us  a 
stronger  sense  of  the  worth  of  that  to  which  we 
have  bound  ourselves ;  and  in  such  increase  of 
appreciation  there  is  not  a  little  of  satisfaction 
to  the  moral  nature.  We  find  much  of  the  zest 
of  life,  along  the  upward  ranges,  in  an  open 
identification  with  and  a  pronounced  advocacy 
of  great  and  important  interests. 

It  was  a  matter  of  rejoicing  with  Saint  Paul 
1  Phil.  ii.  9-11. 


GO  THE  CHURCH. 

that  he  had  taken  his  place  with  the  followers  of 
the  Crucified  One.  How  fervently  the  Apostle 
expresses  his  earnest  conviction :  *'  I  am  not 
ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ;  for  it  is  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that 
believeth;  to  the  Jew  first  and  also  to  the 
Greek."  ^  He  had  a  feeling  of  exultation  that 
he  stood  with  believers  and  workers,  and  was 
not  merely  a  silent  and  passive  adherent  of  the 
Master's  cause.  He  gratefully  acknowledged 
that  he  was  a  recipient  of  the  "  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ,"  esteeming  it  a  blessed  privilege 
to  make  such  an  avowal  and  be  counted  among 
the  members  of  the  primitive  Church.  To  de- 
clare himself  in  this  way  of  open  profession,  to 
signify  outwardly  his  faith,  and  pledge  himself 
to  Christian  living  and  service,  was  regarded  as 
a  privilege,  not  a  hardship.  The  same  experi- 
ence has  been  repeated  in  devout  hearts  all  down 
the  centuries.  One  cannot  stand  as  the  highest 
type  of  a  Christian,  and  make  no  sign ;  most  as- 
suredly he  cannot  understand  the  grand  possi- 
bilities of  Christian  experience  until  he  has  given 
expression  to  the  beliefs  entertained  and  the  pur- 
poses which  have  been  formed. 

1  Romans  i.  16. 


PRIVILEGES   OF   CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.     61 

And  then  follows  the  privilege  of  becoming  a 
witness  for  Christ.  Jesus  assured  His  disciples 
that  they  should  have  an  opportunity  to  testify 
of  him.  Was  it  not  an  honor  and  a  privilege 
that  they  were  thus  commissioned  to  represent 
their  great  leader  and  declare  his  truth  ?  The 
way  and  manner  in  which  Jesus  gave  the  an- 
nouncement admits  of  no  other  view.  "It  is 
expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away ;  but  when  the 
Comforter  is  come,  whom  I  will  send  unto  you 
from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth  which 
proceedeth  from  the  Father,  he  shall  testify  of 
me  ;  and  ye  also  shall  bear  witness,  because  ye 
have  been  with  me  from  the  beginning."  ^ 

At  the  time  when  these  words  were  spoken  the 
disciples  had  but  a  dim  perception  of  their  import ; 
they  failed  to  realize  that  it  would  ever  appear  to 
them  much  of  a  blessing  or  privilege  to  bear  wit- 
ness. But  after  Pentecost  what  was  there  in  their 
experience  that  gave  them  more  of  moral  exalta- 
tion and  satisfaction  than  the  fulfilling  of  this 
commission  ?  Gladly  did  they  testify  of  the  Cruci- 
fied and  Risen  Saviour  ;  and  in  the  giving  of  their 
testimony  to  His  divine  character  and  saving 
grace  there  came  to  their  hearts  a  fulness  of  joy. 

1  John  XV.  26,  27. 


62  THE   CHURCH. 

Something  of  the  same  privilege  is  accorded 
believers  who  confess  Christ  now,  and  devote 
themselves  to  the  work  of  advancing  His  king- 
dom on  the  earth.  They  become  witnesses  of 
Christ  in  a  very  real  and  important  sense. 
They  testify  to  the  truth  and  the  power  of 
Christianity  in  various  ways,  and  by  so  doing 
are  quickened  and  blessed  spiritually.  It  is  by 
such  true  witness-bearing  that  they  become  asso- 
ciated with  the  glorious  company  of  prophets, 
apostles,  confessors,  martyrs,  who  represent  the 
most  heroic  and  saintly  types  of  character.  Is 
it  not  a  joy  and  inspiration  to  realize  this  bond 
of  connection  with  noble  souls,  —  to  take  even 
the  humblest  place  among  faithful  witnesses  of 
Christ  ? 

It  is  a  privilege,  also,  for  which  the  Church 
prepares  the  way,  that  Christian  believers  and 
workers  may  have  fellowship  one  with  another 
here  on  the  earth.  Very  precious  is  the  com- 
munion of  those  of  kindred  faith  and  aims  ;  and 
if  the  Church  of  Christ  had  no  other  claim  to 
respect  than  as  thus  providing  a  ministry  of 
pleasant  and  grateful  association,  it  would  still 
have  value.  The  communion  of  the  early  Church 
was  more  intense  than  now.     Its  members  were 


PRIVILEGES   OF   CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.      63 

more  closely  united,  hand  clasping  hand,  and 
heart  beating  with  heart  in  a  strong  and  beau- 
tiful sympathy,  so  that  brethren  realized  the 
utmost  of  a  sweet  and  powerful  fellowship. 
They  had  all  things  in  common  ;  they  stood  by 
each  other  in  good  and  in  evil  report ;  they 
prayed  together  and  rejoiced  in  the  faith  they 
had  received,  to  which  they  were  solemnly  com- 
mitted, and  for  the  extension  of  which  they  la- 
bored with  zeal  and  steadfastness.  There  is  not 
so  much  of  unity  in  the  modern  Church  ;  there 
is  not  so  much  of  the  fraternal  feeling  as  ought 
to  exist ;  but  with  all  that  is  lacking  there  is  yet 
enough  of  fellowship  among  church  members  to 
show  the  cementing,  cohesive,  vivifying  nature 
of  Christian  faith,  and  to  make  evident  the  spii*- 
itual  satisfaction  of  believers  thus  associated 
together. 

The  local  Church  represents  a  Christian  house- 
hold —  a  fraternal,  family  relation  — in  which  one 
may  count  it  a  privilege  to  have  place.  We 
share  in  common  much  that  is  best  and  holiest 
in  our  lives,  and  it  is  only  as  we  walk  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  law  of  rightful  association  that  we 
attain  highest  good  or  best  satisfy  ourselves. 
Well,   therefore,  may  we    prize    all   instrumen- 


64  THE    CHURCH. 

talities  that  tend  to  bring  men  nearer  to  each 
other,  impeUing  them  to  join  hands  in  true 
fellowship  and  helpfulness.  The  Church  does 
afford  this  bond  of  connection  ;  its  members  are 
privileged  to  share  a  delightful  communion,  as 
they  walk  and  worship  together,  animated  by 
the  gracious  spirit  of  him  w^ho  said,  "  By  this 
shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if 
ye  have  love  one  to  another."  ^  In  the  Church, 
and  through  the  Church,  there  ought  to  be  real- 
ized far  more  of  holy  and  helpful  fellowship  than 
is  possible  in  any  fraternity  or  merely  human 
society  however  meritorious  ;  and  there  should 
be  an  appreciation  of  the  worth  of  this  superior 
kind  of  fellowship. 

,  There  are  likewise  direct  and  practical  minis- 
tries flowing  out  from  the  Church,  concerning 
which  we  should  not  close  our  eyes.  Men  and 
women  who  take  their  places  within  the  lines  of 
a  church,  being  moved  to  stand  there  by  reason 
of  deep  convictions  and  liearty  faith,  may  expect 
to  find  in  the  relation  thus  entered  into,  many 
helps  of  Christian  culture  and  grace.  They 
may  expect  to  be  helped  along  the  pilgrim  path 
of  earth,  by  the  strong  hands  of  those  who  walk 

1  John  xiii.  35. 


PRIVILEGES   OF  CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP.      65 

bj  their  side;  to  be  resfcrained,  perhaps,  from 
wrong-doing  sometimes,  as  well  as  encouraged 
"  to  walk  worthily  of  the  calling  wherewith  they 
are  called,"  ^  by  numerous  strong  influences 
which  the  Church  commands  and  brings  into 
use.  Especially  may  the  members  of  a  Church 
expect  to  profit  spiritually  by  exercises  in  which 
they  are  called  to  take  part,  and  particularly  by 
engaging  in  the  Holy  Communion,  —  a  service 
which  they  will  be  far  more  likely  to  recognize 
when  they  have  publicly  confessed  Christ  and 
united  with  the  Church,  than  when  they  stand 
among  outsiders.  And  surely  it  will  be  esteemed 
a  gracious  help  to  the  weary  and  stumbling 
spirit,  that  so  frequently  one  may  sit  at  the 
table  of  the  Lord  and  partake  of  the  bread 
which  symbolizes  the  Bread  of  Life,  thus  being 
refreshed  and  strengthened  in  the  moral  powers 
and  determinations  ;  that  one  may  taste  of  the 
emblematic  cup  and  remember  the  Saviour  who 
bowed  himself  down  on  the  cross  of  Calvary  and 
suffered  for  us  all.  The  Communion  Service, 
with  all  that  properly  goes  with  it  of  spiritual 
incitement  and  blessing,  deserves  to  rank  among 

1  Eph.  iv.  1. 


66  THE   CHURCH. 

the  privileges  for  which  the  Church  prepares  the 
way  and  gives  an  earnest  call. 

Along  these  and  other  lines  of  helpfulness  the 
ministries  of  the  Church  are  exercised  upon  its 
own  members.  Those  who  stand  within  its  lines 
are  greatly  privileged  and  blessed.  As  members 
of  a  spiritual  household  they  walk,  and  work, 
and  worship  together,  being  drawn  nearer  to 
each  other  and  to  Christ  by  the  position  they 
have  taken,  the  relations  they  have  assumed, 
and  the  work  in  which  they  engage  in  His  name. 
Are  not  these  advantages  real  and  important  ? 
Does  not  the  Church  minister  thus  to  fulness  of 
life  religiously  ?  Is  it  not  a  glorious  instrumen- 
tality of  privilege  and  blessing  to  its  own  mem- 
bers, as  well  as  a  potent  agency  of  good  to  the 
world  at  large?  Ought  it  not  to  stand  on  a 
higher  plane  in  the  minds  of  its  own  members  ? 
Should  not  its  privileges  be  better  appreciated  ? 
Should  not  an  ardent  affection  impel  the  utmost 
of  devotion  to  an  agency  thus  fruitful  of  bless- 
ing ?  Would  that  each  soul  enrolled  under  the 
banner  of  the  Cross  might  be  cliarged  with  the 
holy  impulse  expressed  in  Dr.  Dwight's  sugges- 
tive lines :  — 


OBLIGATIONS   OF  CHURCH  MEMBERS.         67 

"  I  love  tliy  church,  0  God  ! 
Her  walls  before  thee  stand, 
Dear  as  the  apple  of  thine  eye, 
And  graven  on  thy  hand. 

"  For  her  my  tears  shall  fall ; 
For  her  my  prayers  ascend  ; 
To  her  my  cares  and  toils  be  given, 
Till  toils  and  cares  shall  end. 

"  Beyond  my  highest  joy 

I  prize  her  heavenly  ways. 
Her  sweet  communion,  solemn  vows, 
Her  hymns  of  love  and  praise." 

IX.  —  Obligations  of  Church  MexAibers. 

The  obligation  of  holy  and  helpful  living 
rests  upon  men,  whatever  position  they  take 
or  refuse  to  take  as  related  to  the  dischara-e 
of  moral  service.  One  is  not  released  from 
accountability  to  the  law  of  God  because  he 
declines  to  admit  such  accountability,  or  places 
himself  in  an  attitude  unfavorable  to  the  per- 
formance of  duty.  Whetlier  within  or  without 
the  Church,  whether  they  consent  to  moral  ob- 
ligations or  refuse  to  allov/  their  claims,  men 
cannot  be  set  free  from  the  demands  and  judg- 
ments of  God's  rule ;  wherever  they  are  stand- 
ing they  are  bound  "  to  live  soberly,  righteously, 


68  THE   CHURCH. 

and  godly  in  this  present  world,"  ^  and  must 
expect  to  be  held  to  account  for  coming  short 
of  the  full  measure  of  personal  duty. 

But  some  obligations  assume  distinctness 
when  we  have  placed  ourselves  in  a  favorable 
attitude  toward  them.  Certain  duties  will  ap- 
pear clear  and  urgent  to  those  who  enter  into 
Church  relations  and  take  upon  themselves  the 
covenant  pledges  of  prayer  and  service.  They 
will  feel  that  henceforth  they  are  to  be  watch- 
ful and  active  regarding  religious  interests,  both 
as  these  relate  to  their  own  good  and  the  good 
of  others.  They  will  not  think  to  enter  the 
Church  for  rest  and  ease,  supposing  the  end 
to  be  reached  when  they  have  made  a  public 
confession  of  their  faith,  and  that  henceforth 
they  can  sit  with  folded  arms  and  enjoy  their 
religion.  Rather  will  a  fresh  ardor  incite  them 
as  a  wider  scope  of  duty  presents  itself.  They 
will  see  how,  in  the  new  relation  entered  upon, 
some  special  obligations  have  been  assumed, 
while  they  have  pledged  themselves  to  the  full 
service  of  Christian  discipleship. 

1.  Among  specific  duties  which  ought  to  ap- 
pear  more  urgent  and  attractive  is   attendance 

1  Titus  ii,  12. 


OBLIGATIONS   OF  CHURCH  MEMBERS.        69 

upon  public  worship.  So  far  as  possible,  pro- 
fessed Christians  should  attend  upon  all  the 
services  of  the  sanctuary.  This  is  hnportant 
now,  even  as  when  the  Apostle  gave  the  rule 
to  the  early  Church.  "  Let  us  not  forsake  the 
assembling  of  ourselves  together."  ^  "  Be  ye 
filled  with  the  spirit ;  speaking  one  to  another 
in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  sing- 
ing and  making  melody  with  your  hearts  unto 
the  Lord."  ^  Members  of  the  Church  are 
specially  looked  to  for  the  support  of  public 
worship,  the  maintenance  of  social  religious 
meetings,  and  the  carrying  forward  of  other 
ministries  of  Christian  culture  ;  and  to  none 
of  these  duties  ought  they  to  be  indifferent. 
Men  and  women  whose  names  are  borne  on 
Church  books,  but  who,  having  no  good  ex- 
cuse, are  infrequent  attendants  upon  the  ser- 
vices of  the  sanctuary,  meetings  of  prayer  and 
conference,  the  stated  meetings  of  the  Church, 
and  the  Lord's  Supper,  are  grievous  stumbling- 
blocks  in  the  way  of  church  prosperity. 

2.  Church  membership  carries  with  it  a  spe- 
cial regard  for  the  truths  of  Christianity  as 
represented   by  the   organization   in  which  one 

1  Hebrews  x.  25.  2  Eph.  v.  19. 


70  THE   CHURCH. 

has  found  a  religious  home.  There  is  an  un- 
derstood loyalty  to  the  faith  and  principles  of 
one's  own  Church.  Without  narrowness  and 
bigotry,  there  should  yet  be  manifested  a  strong 
devotion  to  the  great  principles  of  Christianity 
as  interpreted  by  that  branch  of  the  Church 
with  wdiich  a  believer  is  connected.  He  should 
have  a  holy  enthusiasm  for  his  faith  and  his 
Church.  He  should  be  exceedingly  sensitive 
as  regards  everything  that  pertains  to  Church 
interests,  grieving  when  adverse  conditions 
arise,  and  rejoicing  when  prosperity  attends 
her  way.  With  wliatever  Church  connected, 
there  should  be  no  hesitancy  in  an  avowal  of 
the  great  doctrines  made  distinctive  in  the 
teaching  of  that  communion,  no  backwardness 
in  supporting  the  Church  that  proclaims  his 
view  of  the  essentials  of  Christian  faith,  and 
no  remissness  of  duty  in  giving  and  doing  for 
the  dissemination  of  the  truth  as  it  has  been 
received  and  professed.  "  Watch  ye,  stand  fast 
in  the  faith,  quit  ye  like  men,  be  strong-"  ^ 

3.  The  Church  of  our  time  must  undertake 
a  work  of  wide  and  varied  scope.  It  must  jus- 
tify  its   existence   by   a   productive  usefulness, 

1  1  Cor.  xvi.  13. 


OBLIGATIONS  OF   CHURCH   MEMBERS.         71 

not  only  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  its  own 
members,  but  in  the  world  at  large.  For  this 
work,  to  this  end,  members  of  the  Church  need 
to  be  on  the  alert,  thoroughly  impressed  with 
an  idea  of  their  individual  responsibility,  as 
well  as  of  the  functions  of  the  organization  into 
which  they  have  entered.  To  maintain  public 
worship  and  see  that  the  Christian  ordinances 
are  not  neglected  constitutes  one  part  of  the 
obligation  of  Church  members.  To  care  for  the 
Sunday  School ;  to  show  an  active  interest  in 
auxiliary  societies  of  the  Church,  both  within 
the  local  body  and  outside  ;  and  to  be  helpful 
in  denominational  movements  and  enterprises, 
are  also  to  be  included  among  obligations  that 
should  be  deeply  impressed  upon  those  who 
have  affirmed  the  Christian  faith  and  purposes. 
And  still  more  must  be  attempted  and  done 
in  the  way  of  education,  benevolence,  reform, 
and  social  uplifting  by  a  live  Church.  The 
Called  Out  people  of  God  cannot  be  indiffer- 
ent to  the  world's  great  needs.  They  are  as- 
sociated together  in  the  name  of  Him  who  went 
about  doing  good,  who  heeded  every  appeal  for 
mercy  and  help,  and  wlio  left  for  His  followers 
the  significant  message,  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have 


72  THE    CHURCH. 

done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  breth- 
ren, ye  have  done  it  unto  me."  ^  Being  thus 
enrolled  and  pledged,  it  becomes  them  to  live 
as  their  Master  lived,  to  follow  Him  practically 
in  works  of  benevolence  and  love,  and  to  make 
the  Church  —  the  body  of  Christ  —  conspicuous 
as  the  most  pronounced  and  effective  agency 
of  blessing  in  the  world.  It  has  the  right  of 
way  to  this  first  place.  It  is  the  most  com- 
prehensive institution  ever  organized,  and  has 
the  possibilities  of  largest  accomplishment.  If 
faithful  to  itself,  and  if  faithful  to  the  grand 
principles  of  the  Gospel,  the  Church  will  be 
most  potent  in  all  that  concerns  the  interests 
of  related  life,  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
great  world's  moral  advancement  and  puri- 
fication. 

It  depends  upon  the  members  of  the  Church 
individually,  under  the  divine  leading  and  bless- 
ing, as  to  this  productiveness.  What  can  I  do 
in  such  a  work?  ought  to  be  the  question  of 
each  member.  If  no  great  service  can  be  ren- 
dered or  large  gift  made,  something  surely  can 
be  offered,  if  only  there  is  the  right  spirit.  How 
clearly  Saint  Paul  states  the  rule  and  makes  the 

1  Matt.  XXV.  40. 


OBLIGATIONS   OF   CHURCH  MEMBERS.        73 

application  :  "  Having  gifts  differing  according 
to  the  grace  that  was  given  to  us,  whether  proph- 
ecy, let  us  prophesy  according  to  the  proportion 
of  our  faith ;  or  ministry,  let  us  give  ourselves 
to  our  ministry ;  or  he  that  teacheth,  to  his 
teaching ;  or  he  that  exhorteth,  to  his  exhorting : 
he  that  giveth,  let  him  do  it  with  liberality ;  he 
that  ruleth,  with  diligence ;  he  that  sheweth 
mercy,  with  cheerfulness.  Let  love  be  without 
hypocrisy."  ^ 

If  the  members  of  any  branch  of  the  Christian 
Church  will  but  keep  this  standard  of  duty  be- 
fore them  and  act  accordingly,  great  and  blessed 
results  will  be  sure  to  follow  their  combined  ac- 
tivities. Apathy,  indifference,  dull  and  dreary 
formalism,  will  be  swept  away  before  the  strong 
current  of  united  efforts,  and  the  Church  will 
succeed  outwardly  and  spiritually  because  it  de- 
serves success ;  because  its  members  are  stand- 
ing and  working  together  as  true  disciples  of 
their  risen  Lord,  each  rendering  a  full  measure 
of  service  according  to  what  is  the  personal  abil- 
ity and  opportunity.  These  are  the  disciples 
unto  each  of  whom  the  blessed  words  of  the 
Master  shall  one  day  be  addressed;  "Well  done, 

1  Romans  xii.  6-9. 


74  THE    CHURCH. 

good  and  faithful  servant ;  tliou  hast  been  faith- 
ful over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler 
over  many  things :  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy   Lord/'i 

X.  —  What  is  your  Duty  ? 

The  Christian  Church  exists  to-day  under  va- 
rious distinctive  names,  and  all  the  different 
communions  claim  to  be  branches  of  the  true 
vine.  It  does  not  belong  to  the  province  of  this 
Manual  to  discuss  the  rightfulness  of  such  a  claim 
in  any  case  where  the  question  may  be  raised. 
The  essential  Church  exists  in  many  forms,  af- 
firming ideas  and  doctrines  by  no  means  the 
same,  and  observing  practices  quite  unlike,  but 
still  pervaded  by  sufficient  of  the  Christ  trutli 
and  spirit  to  give  it  vitality.  Even  in  the  fir^t 
age  this  separateness  was  indicated.  "  And 
there  are  differences  of  administrations,  but  the 
same  Lord."^ 

Assuming  that  this  Church  exists,  questions 
like  these  present  themselves  to  every  thought- 
ful person  religiously  inclined :  "  What  is  my 
duty  ?     Ought  I  to  unite  with  such  an  organiza- 

1  Matt.  XXV.  21.  2  1  Cor.  xii.  5. 


WHAT  IS  YOUR  DUTY?  75 

tion  ?  Is  it  required  of  me  that  I  should  signify 
my  faith  publicly  and  take  the  pledges  of  mem- 
bership in  the  Church?"  These  are  important 
questions ;   how  shall  they  be  answered  ? 

In  this  word  of  friendly  appeal,  earnest  and 
urgent  as  the  writer  desires  it  should  be,  there 
are  yet  two  or  three  things  to  be  stated  in  the 
way  of  a  fair  presentation  of  the  claims  of 
Church  membership. 

It  may  be  said  at  the  outset  that  salvation 
does  not  hinge  upon  entering  the  visible  Church 
and  conforming  to  certain  prescribed  rites.  The 
soul's  destiny  does  not  depend  upon  membership 
in  any  organization. 

It  should  also  be  understood  that  it  is  possible 
for  a  person  to  live  an  upright,  useful  life,  with- 
out confessing  Christ  publicly  or  uniting  with 
any  communion  of  believers.  Many  saintly  souls 
have  not  seen  their  way  clear  to  join  any  body 
of  Christians,  and  yet  the  remembrance  of  the 
virtues  of  these  non-church  members  is  very 
precious.  Excellent  people  may  be  found  in 
every  parish  and  community,  who  render  much 
help  to  Christian  institutions  and  enterprises,  but 
who  decline  for  one  reason  or  another  to  commit 
themselves  to  Christ  by  an  outward  profession. 


76  THE   CHURCH. 

But  allowing,  and  even  emphasizing,  these 
two  facts ;  and  putting  with  them  that  other 
fact  of  the  imperfectness  of  the  Church,  there 
yet  seem  to  be  plenty  of  arguments  in  favor  of 
uniting  with  the  Church,  provided  one  has  some 
belief  in  Christ  and  a  sincere  purpose  to  live  a 
Christian  life. 

It  is  an  express  command  of  our  Lord  that 
believers  should  acknowledge  him  and  take  an 
open,  well-defined  position  of  discipleship.  There 
is  a  solemn  requirement  of  duty.  This  is  not 
only  specifically  stated  in  the  Scriptures,  but  is 
likewise  a  matter  of  fair  inference.  If  corrupt 
men  unite  in  the  interests  of  unbelief  and  wicked- 
ness, how  shall  they  be  successfully  opposed  ex- 
cept by  the  united  efforts  of  believers  ?  How 
shall  the  truth  be  sustained  and  the  Kingdom  of 
Christ  advanced  on  the  earth,  unless  organized 
movements  are  put  forward  to  this  end  ?  If 
there  is  need  of  the  Church  to  oppose  wicked- 
ness, to  uphold  and  disseminate  Christianity,  that 
Church  may  of  right  appeal  to  all  who  believe 
in  the  truth  which  it  represents  and  the  ends  it 
seeks  to  promote,  to  come  into  its  communion. 
Is  it  not  your  duty,  0  reader,  to  stand  squarely 
on  the  Lord's  side  ?     And  if  you  are  disposed  to 


WHAT  IS   YOUR  DUTY?  77 

thus  place  yourself,  where  else  can  you  go  to 
signify  your  allegiance  and  purpose  but  into  the 
Christian  Church  ?  Your  responsibility  is  evi- 
dent.    Your  duty  is  plain. 

Does  not  the  appeal  urged  on  the  ground  of 
affection  touch  your  heart  ?  Saint  Paul  said, 
"  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us."  ^  If  we 
apprehend  the  Christ  love  as  signified  to  us  by 
the  whole  tenor  of  His  life  and  by  His  death  on 
Calvary,  it  would,  seem  that  no  great  amount  of 
urging  would  be  required  to  move  us  to  enter 
the  one  organization  that  best  represents  the 
truth  and  love  of  Christ.  Grateful  affection 
toward  Him  who  loved  so  much  and  so  stead- 
fastly will  surely  add  strength  to  the  call  that 
is  made  for  acknowledgment  and  service.  Is 
not  this  influence  sufficiently  potent  to  draw 
many  hearts  from  a  position  of  undue  timidity 
in  the  expression  of  their  religious  convictions, 
and  lead  them  to  take  the  one  step  which  will 
signify  in  the  clearest  manner  their  belief  in 
and  love  for  the  Saviour  of  the  world  ? 

Others  of  earnest  thouoht  and  devout  feelino- 
will  be  appealed  to  by  the  motive  of  increased 
usefulness.     Said  a  young  man  to  the  writer,  not 

1  2  Cor.  V.  14. 


78  THE   CHURCH. 

long  ago,  "  I  wish  to  unite  with  the  Church  that 
I  may  do  more  for  interests  that  seem  to  me  im- 
portant, —  that  I  may  do  more  to  help  deliver 
the  souls  of  my  fellow-men  from  error  and  sin." 
What  higher  motive  can  be  presented  to  a  noble 
soul  ?  By  the  mighty  logic  of  increased  useful- 
ness is  this  appeal  for  church  membership  urged 
upon  earnest  and  devout  hearts.  Standing  in 
the  Church,  working  with  the  Church,  one  can 
certainly  increase  his  influence  in  the  way  of 
Christian  service.  By  such  identification  and 
co-operation  he  will  certainly  augment  the  effi- 
ciency of  his  religious  activities  in  various  lines 
of  duty.  To  do  good,  to  be  more  extensively 
useful,  should  have  weight  as  a  projber  motive 
in  deciding  the  question  of  church  membership. 
If  abstractly  the  duty  does  not  seem  quite  clear, 
if  the  call  does  not  seem  just  now  of  special 
urgency,  when  regard  is  given  only  to  personal 
needs,  may  not  this  thought  of  an  increased 
usefulness  turn  the  scale  in  the  right  direction  ? 
The  Church  needs  a  reinforcement  of  men  and 
women  with  whom  this  shall  be  a  governing 
motive.  It  has  a  place  and  a  hearty  welcome 
for  those  who  desire  not  only  to  grow  in  grace 
themselves  by  use  of  its  appointed  ministries, 


WHAT   IS   YOUR  DUTY?  79 

and  to  edify  one  another,  but  to  render  a  prac- 
tical service  through  a  living  Church  in  dissemi- 
nating truth,  lifting  the  heavy  burdens  that  press 
upon  individuals  and  society,  and  turning  many 
souls  to  righteousness.  Influenced  by  such  a 
noble  purpose,  will  not  some  brave,  true  hearts 
find  their  way  into  the  Christian  Church,  there 
to  be  "  living  epistles  of  Christ,"  ^  examples  of 
purity,  love,  and  faith,  and  zealous  workers  for 
truth  and  humanity  ? 

"  What  is  your  duty  ? "  There  can  be  no 
doubt  as  to  the  command  of  Jesus  for  an  ex- 
pression of  faith  and  a  pledge  of  service.  There 
can  be  no  question  of  the  apostolic  sanction  of 
the  Church  institution,  and  of  the  early  practice 
of  receiving  believers  into  such  an  organization 
on  profession  of  faith  in  Christ  as  the  Son  of 
God.  Concerning  the  use  of  the  two  ordinances 
there  is  abundant  proof  of  the  importance  at- 
tached thereto  by  the  Christians  of  the  first 
period.  Nor  is  there  any  question  that  the 
Church  has  existed  through  all  the  centuries,  a 
means  of  comfort  and  edification  to  countless 
souls,  an  instrumentality  of  benign  service  in 
the  world,  despite   all   its  corruptions  and  im- 

1  2  Cor.  iii.  3. 


80  THE  CHURCH. 

perfections,  and  that  it  presents  itself  now  claim- 
ing the  pledged  support  of  Christian  men  and 
women. 

Some  of  the  objections  urged  against  the 
Church  have  been  considered  heretofore.  They 
are  numerous ;  but  they  do  not  stand  before  an 
honest,  prayerful  testing.  The  feeling  of  per- 
sonal unworthiness  is,  without  doubt,  a  consid- 
eration that  prevents  great  numbers  of  devout 
souls  from  accepting  cliurch  membership.  Often 
this  feeling  is  allowed  too  much  influence  in 
deciding  the  question  under  review.  Some  per- 
sons wait  too  long  to  qualify  themselves  for 
church  membership.  They  think  to  settle  all 
questions  of  doctrine  and  become  morally  and 
religiously  perfect,  —  and  then,  perhaps,  unite 
with  a  cjiurch.  Years  will  come  and  go,  and 
most  likely  they  will  still  be  on  the  outside. 
The  appeal  here  urged  is  for  no  action  of  undue 
haste,  —  for  no  lessening  of  the  importance  of 
church  vows  and  ordinances  ;  but  when  there  is 
some  faith  in  Christ  and  love  for  Him,  and  a 
fixed  purpose  to  lead  a  Christian  life,  there  is  no 
call  or  justification  for  delay  because  so  many 
questions  of  religion  are  yet  unsettled,  and  saintly 
character  is  not  yet  acquired. 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE    AND   SERVICE.      81 

It  is  the  Church  of  Christ  that  invites  believers 
to  its  communion,  to  many  and  great  privileges, 
to  labors  under  its  sanctions  and  by  its  aids. 
Entering  the  door  of  the  Church  with  pure  mo- 
tives, complying  with  a  duty  made  clear  to  the 
heart  and  the  understanding,  there  will  never 
be  any  regret  because  of  the  important  step 
taken;  on  the  contrary,  augmented  joy  and 
peace,  as  Christian  experience  broadens  and 
deepens,  as  more  of  opportunity  is  given  for 
service,  and  a  glowing  faith  makes  clear  the 
blessed  realization  of  Saint  John's  vision  set 
forth  in  the  Apocalypse:  "And  every  creature 
which  is  in  heaven,  and  on  the  earth,  and 
under  the  earth,  and  such  as  are  in  the  sea,  and 
all  that  are  in  them,  heard  I  saying.  Blessing, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power,  be  unto  Him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb 
forever  and  ever."  ^ 

XI.  —  Personal  Influence  and  Service. 

From  one  point  of  view  the  Church  presents 
itself  as  an  aggregation  of  individual  forces.  It 
takes  on  an   institutional   form   and   character 

1  Rev.  V.  13. 
6 


82  THE   CHURCH. 

according  to  what  is  the  spiritual  productiveness 
of  the  men  and  women  in  its  communion.  The 
persons  who  compose  its  membership  are  factors 
which  help  to  determine  its  range  of  influence 
and  the  amount  of  its  usefulness.  Thus  is  it 
that  the  Church  as  a  whole  is  set  forward  or 
held  back,  and  thus  any  branch  of  the  Church  is 
affected  in  matters  that  relate  to  its  progress 
and  efficiency. 

We  shall  be  likely  to  find  prosperity  in  any 
Church  whose  membership  includes  men  and 
women  who  realize  their  moral  responsibility 
and  act  accordingly.  Where  there  is  a  good 
degree  of  Christian  faith  and  devotion  possess- 
ing the  minds  of  individuals  in  the  Church, 
there  we  shall  look  for  an  active,  productive 
church  life.  First  of  all,  the  members  them- 
selves must  develop  spiritual-mindedness,  which 
so  naturally  leads  to  and  results  in  a  true  pros- 
perity. This  fact  gives  significance  to  the 
prayer  of  the  Apostle  for  his  friend  Gains  :  "  Be- 
loved, I  pray  that  in  all  things  thou  mayest 
prosper  and  be  in  health,  even  as  thy  soul  pros- 
pereth.''''  ^  When  the  individual  members  of  the 
organization  have  attained  this  desired  condition, 

1  2  John.  2. 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE  AND   SERVICE.       83 

the  Church  itself  will  be  sure  of  a  genuine  pros- 
perity. It  will  be  extensively  useful  as  an  in- 
strumentality that  represents  the  combined  faith 
and  energy  of  many  consecrated  hearts. 

The  Church  must  have  this  personal  influence 
and  service  to  accomplish  its  largest  and  best 
work.  The  institution  cannot  act  as  a  piece  of 
machinery  ;  it  is  the  men  and  women  who  stand 
within  its  lines  that  shape  its  activities  and  fix 
the  rank  of  its  honor  and  usefulness.  Personal- 
ity in  the  Church  deserves  recognition  ;  the  in- 
dividual thought  and  will  must  not  be  too  much 
repressed,  and  each  faithful  worker  must  be 
given  a  place  and  opportunity  of  service.  This 
personal  activity  counts  for  much ;  it  should 
neither  be  ignored  nor  underestimated. 

John  Henry  Newman,  whose  personality  was 
of  so  intense  a  character,  once  said  :  "  My  only 
business  is  to  find  out  what  I  am  and  put  it  to 
use."  So  he  sought  to  make  his  life  active  and 
productive;  and  that  he  succeeded  in  this  to 
a  very  considerable  degree  will  not  be  ques- 
tioned. "  I  am  not  master  of  myself,"  said 
Martin  Luther,  '*  God  Imrries  and  drives  me  to 
my  work."  When  an  individual  is  controlled 
by   such  a  feeling,   when  he  hears  and  heeds 


84  THE   CHURCH. 

the  call  that  comes  to  him  to  be  of  service 
to  an  institution,  a  cause,  a  principle,  and  thus 
to  help  mankind,  he  is  taken  out  of  weakness 
and  made  a  potent  influence  in  the  world.  Then 
there  is  readiness  for  duty,  and  then  the  service 
of  Christ  is  engaged  in  willingly,  cheerfully, 
even  according  to  the  spirit  of  devotion  that 
prompted  the  prophet's  response  to  the  call  that 
came  to  him :  "  I  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord, 
saying,  Whom  shall  I  send,  and  who  will  go  for 
us  ?     Then  said  I,  Here  am  I ;  send  me."  ^ 

It  is  personal  effort  that  is  required  in  behalf 
of  the  great  interests  of  related  life,  —  to  bring 
souls  out  of  error  and  sin,  to  advance  the  Mas- 
ter's kingdom  among  men.  If  we  could  only 
have  the  earnest,  strong  promptings  to  such  a 
service,  filling  and  ruling  the  hearts  of  individ- 
ual men  and  women  who  have  already  taken 
their  places  within  church  lines,  how  much 
might  be  accomplished!  What  the  Church 
needs  to-day  is  not  money,  or  new  methods,  or 
improved  ecclesiastical  machinery,  so  much  as 
living  souls  acting  under  a  sense  of  personal  ac- 
countability and  always  ready  to  do  God's  bid- 
ding.    With  such  obedient  activity  on  the  part 

1  Isaiah  vi.  8. 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE  AND   SERVICE.       85 

of  those  who  have  professed  the  name  of  Clirist, 
what  might  not  be  accomplished  in  and  through 
His  Church !  How  it  w^ould  augment  the  force 
of  church  life  and  productiveness  if  each  believer 
was  impressed  by  the  feeling  that  he  must  put 
to  use  the  one,  two,  or  five  talents  which  have 
been  entrusted  to  him,  being  controlled  by  a 
holy  enthusiasm  to  be  a  loving,  loyal  worker  in 
His  Name  !  Then  indeed  would  the  fruits  of  a 
whole-hearted  discipleship  appear  in  fulfilment 
of  our  Lord's  statement :  '^I  am  the  vine,  ye  are 
the  branches  :  he  that  abideth  in  Me,  and  I  in 
him,  the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit ;  for 
without  Me  ye  can  do  nothing."  ^ 

By  this  union  with  Christ  comes  growth  and 
development  of  the  religious  nature,  with  a  pro- 
ductiveness of  the  life  such  as  the  Master  urged 
upon  His  disciples.  Let  there  be  this  intense 
feeling  animating  the  minds  of  individual  be- 
lievers ;  let  them  realize  the  Christ  love  and  the 
Christ  power,  and  who  will  doubt  that  a  mighty 
revival  would  sweep  over  the  Church,  extending 
its  usefulness  an  hundred-fold  ! 

To  rouse  the  individual  and  set  him  to  work 
is  the  problem  that  confronts  us.      How  may  we 

1  John  XV.  5. 


86  THE    CHURCH. 

hope  to  secure  this  activity  and  accomplish- 
ment ?  How  may  a  little  body  of  believers 
banded  together  in  the  name  of  Christ  do  more 
for  the  honor  of  the  Crucified  One  ?  How  may 
the  Church  at  large  show  forth  an  applied  Chris- 
tianity that  will  most  effectually  bless  and  exalt 
the  race  ?  Many  answers  will  be  given  to  the 
questions  proposed,  as  many  ways  can  be  pointed 
out  for  broadening  and  deepening  the  channels 
of  individual  influence  in  the  Church  and  the 
world.  One  primary,  essential,  and  most  power- 
ful help  to  such  desired  work  and  results,  is  the 
"  Witness  of  the  Spirit "  in  the  hearts  of  men 
and  women  receptive  to  its  influence.  It  is  an 
endowment  of  power  from  above,  a  breathing  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  upon  a  human  soul,  that  gives 
the  utmost  of  obedient,  glad  service  in  the  inter- 
ests of  truth  and  humanity,  making  every  Chris- 
tian thus  wrought  upon  a  potent  force  of  good 
in  the  world. 

Do  we  need  to  say  what  new  courage  and 
strength,  what  new  power  of  accomplishment, 
are  thus  made  available  ?  How  changed  were 
Peter  and  James  and  Jolm,  and  the  other  disci- 
ples, after  the  day  of  Pentecost !  They  received 
enlightenment  and  inspiration  as  the  gift  of  the 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE  AND    SERVICE.       87 

Spirit.  Henceforth  they  had  a  new  assurance 
of  the  truth  of  the  Gospel :  they  were  instructed, 
uplifted,  directed,  ready  to  go  forth  and  attempt 
the  moral  conquest  of  the  world  according  to 
the  great  commission  they  had  received.  This 
was  the  word  that  liad  been  spoken,  the  call 
that  had  been  given :  "  Go  ye  therefore,  and 
make  disciples  of  all  the  nations,  baptizing  them 
into  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost :  teaching  them  to  observe  all 
things  whatsoever  I  commanded  you :  and  lo,  I 
am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world."  ^  But  they  had  been  told  to  wait  for  the 
dispensation  of  the  Spirit  that  came  to  them  at 
Pentecost ;  and  while  they  waited  and  prayed, 
being  "  all  with  one  accord  in  one  place,"  ^  the 
promise  was  fulfilled,  and  they  entered  upon  the 
work  of  establishing  and  diffusing  Christianity, 
rendering  glorious  service  and  showing  the 
"  fruit  of  the  Spirit  "  in  their  words  and  their  ac- 
complishments. 

The  early  Christians  acted  under  the  same 
Divine  influence.  They  realized  that  "  the  hand 
of  the  Lord "  was  upon  them,  that  the  Divine 
Spirit  had  been  given  to  them.     Thus  does  Saint 

1  Matt,  xxviii.  19-20.  2  Acts  ii.  1. 


88  THE   CHURCH. 

Paul  affirm  the  fact :  "  For  our  gospel  came  unto 
you  not  in  word  onty,  but  also  in  power,  and  in 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance."  ^  So 
it  was  the  Apostolic  Church  flourished,  and  won- 
derful results  attended  the  preaching  of  the 
word.  Not  upon  the  Apostles  only,  but  upon 
those  who  believed  and  worshipped  and  prayed 
with  them,  came  there  the  endowment  of  power 
from  on  high.  Christians  in  the  early  days  were 
full  of  power,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
And  the  church  was  a  victorious  church  having 
such  an  equipment,  such  a  membership. 

The  Holy  Spirit  is  still  to  be  recognized  and 
depended  upon  as  the  source  of  power  among 
believers  .and  in  the  Church.  It  is  manifest  to 
some  extent  in  the  hearts  of  faithful  men  and 
women,  and  in  the  devoted  labors  of  those  who 
follow  most  nearly  to  Christ  the  Lord.  It  is 
seen  in  the  Christian  operations  at  home,  and  in 
missionary  undertakings  abroad,  which  reflect  so 
much  of  glory  upon  the  Church  of  Christ.  But 
believers  have  not  that  Spirit  in  its  fulness,  and 
therefore  the  Church  is  less  useful  than  it  ought 
to  be  ;  and  the  human  world  is  not  ministered 
to  and  blessed  as  might  be  the  case  if  there  was 

1  1  Thess.  i  5. 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE   AND   SERVICE.       89 

a  more  earnest,  confident  looking  for  the  pres- 
ence and  help  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  dispen- 
sation of  the  Spirit  has  not  been  abrogated  ;  the 
gift  is  still  waiting  to  be  bestowed  on  earnest, 
prayerful  souls.  "  If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know 
how  to  give  good  gifts  unto  your  children ;  how 
much  more  shall  your  Heavenly  Father  give  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  Him  ?  "  i  Oh  that 
they  who  read  these  words,  yea,  the  whole  mem- 
bership of  the  Church  Universal,  might  feel  and 
say,  — 

"  Our  wills  are  ours,  we  know  not  how  : 

Our  wills  are  ours  to  make  them  Thine." 

With  this  '^  witness  of  the  Spirit "  there  would 
be  less  of  apathy  and  indifference  in  the  churches, 
less  of  faint-heartedness  in  the  hearts  of  believ- 
ers ;  for,  being  roused  and  quickened,  they  would 
hear  and  heed  the  call  of  duty  ;  they  would  feel 
and  know  that  to  help  men  now,  to  be  of  real 
service  to  others,  is  at  once  the  true  business, 
the  satisfying  joy,  the  abiding  glory  of  living. 

"  Ask  God  to  give  thee  skill  in  comfort's  art 
That  thou  may'st  consecrated  be, 
And  set  apart  unto  a  life  of  sympathy ; 
For  heavy  is  the  weight  of  ill  in  every  heart, 

1  Luke  xi.  13. 


90    •  THE    CHURCH. 

And  comforters  are  needed  much 
Of  Christlike  touch." 

It  is  personal  consecration  that  most  is  needed 
within  the  lines  of  the  Christian  Church.  There 
is  a  personal  service  demanded  which  may  be 
hard  and  painful  sometimes ;  self-surrender  and 
self-denial  that  may  challenge  a  disciple's  faith  ; 
but  if  there  is  a  brave  persistence  in  the  way  of 
duty,  a  faithful  conforming  of  the  life  to  the  law 
and  love  of  Christ,  power  will  be  given  both  to 
do  and  to  endure.  And  they  who  walk  thus 
with  Christ,  seeking  to  imitate  Him  in  a  minis- 
try of  light  and  help  to  those  in  need,  shall  find 
the  true  zest  of  existence,  —  shall  learn  the 
blessed  truth, — 

"  That  the  sum  of  a  life's  true  living 
Is  not  wliat  our  souls  receive, 
But  the  gam  that  is  found  in  giving, 
I  steadfastly  believe." 

And  doubtless  a  special  joy  will  fill  the  minds 
of  faithful  workers  who,  by  tlieir  personal  influ- 
ence and  efforts,  shall  render  an  efficient  service 
in  bringing  their  brotliers  and  sisters  to  Christ, 
and  to  the  one  organization  that  best  represents 
Him,  thus  helping  to  extend  the  Master's  king- 
'  dom  spiritually  and  as  an  institution.     To  them 


PERSONAL  INFLUENCE   AND   SERVICE.        91 

the  ancient  promise  has  a  beautiful  significance  : 
"  They  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament :  and  they  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness,  as  the  stars  in  heaven  for  ever  and 
ever."  i 

1  Daniel  xii.  3. 


THE  END. 


P^ft'O"  Theological  Sem.nary-Speei 


1    1012  01144  7119 


